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Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has sent his condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the officers involved in a tragic incident on the south coast of KwaZulu Natal on Sunday evening.

In a brief statement, Mchunu said the incident occurred when eight officers from the Public Order Police and the Port Shepstone K-9 unit responded to an alleged domestic violence issue.

“During a tactical maneuver, a stun grenade was deployed in one of the rooms. Tragically, a misinterpretation of the situation led a female officer to believe that her team was under attack, resulting in the discharge of an R-5 rifle, killing one colleague and injuring another,” says Mchunu .

“Our thoughts are especially with the family of the law enforcement officer who lost his life in this unfortunate event. We are also praying for the full recovery of the K-9 Unit member who sustained injuries. We are committed to supporting those affected by this. tragedy and will do everything possible to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future.”

Mchunu also called for caution in the execution of operations by members of the police.

“We have been informed by the Independent Police Investigation Directorate (IPID) that a full investigation is underway to understand the circumstances surrounding this incident. This investigation is essential to ensure accountability and learn valuable lessons to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”

Mchunu called on all law enforcement teams to exercise utmost caution in planning and executing operations, especially those involving high-risk situations.

“It is vital that we strengthen protocols, ensure clear communication and use the highest safety standards to protect both our officers and the communities they serve.”