Cape Town – The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has launched an investigation after a man was shot in the head by a police officer during an altercation at Misty Hills lodge in Muldersdrift, Johannesburg.
A video that has since gone viral on social media, shows the half-naked man, who was a guest at the lodge, arguing with the police until he is shot at close range.
In an interview with the television broadcasting channel eNCA, Ipid spokesperson Grace Langa said the incident started when the man was involved in an argument with members of the staff at the lodge.
“This guest was having an argument with members of staff. They called the manager in charge as well as security… He continued to swear at them, being aggressive. Then the manager asked him to leave,” said Langa.
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The manager also told him that the lodge was going to refund him if he left the premises.
But the guest refused to leave. He, instead “went to his hotel room”.
It was at this point that the manager then decided to call the police.
“When they (police) got to the room of the guest who is now the victim, they wanted to let him go but he refused still… It is alleged he became aggressive… and then he took out firearms. We found as we investigate[d] that the victim had two fireams with him,” said Langa.
An IOL report said that the man took his firearms and one of the bullets fell onto the ground.
“It is alleged he then took the firearm from one of the police officers’ hand, insisting that police officers must shoot him.
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“It is alleged one of the police officers who was in the room with them, after seeing that the guest took the firearm from one of his colleagues, decided to shoot at the guest,” the report quoted Langa as saying.
The man was taken to hospital and he remained in a coma under police guard.
Meanwhile, Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) spokesperson Richard Mamabolo believed the police actions were completely justified, Jacaranda FM reported.
“The officers found their lives were in danger and acted accordingly, which must be deemed as justifiable. As a union, we stand firmly against any form of brutality, be it against civilians or law enforcement agencies,” the report quoted Mamabolo as saying.
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