The Democratic Alliance is alarmed by the incident that occurred on Monday night in Umhlali, KwaZulu-Natal, in which two innocent taxi passengers were shot after police allegedly mistook the vehicle for one involved in a hijacking.
According to reports, members of the Police Emergency Services (PES) task team pursued and allegedly opened fire on a taxi, resulting in the critical injury of a 39-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman who was shot in the leg. No arrests have been made, and the victims remain in recovery.
This disturbing incident raises serious questions about the judgement, training, and protocols followed by SAPS officers during high-speed chases and alleged criminal interceptions. The fact that the vehicle in question had clearly visible number plates, passengers, and official taxi association markings, was still subjected to live fire, reflects a gross lapse in operational discipline and public safety management.
The DA in KZN calls for the following:
- A full, transparent investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) into the shooting and the conduct of the officers involved.
- Immediate suspension of implicated officers pending the outcome of the investigation.
- Support and compensation for the victims of the incident, including psychological assistance for the affected passengers.
- Clear communication from SAPS leadership on what measures are in place to prevent such mistaken identity shootings in the future.
The DA condemns the excessive use of force in any instance unless absolutely warranted. Innocent lives were endangered due to what appears to be reckless and avoidable police action.
The DA in the GPU remains committed to a professional and accountable police service that upholds the law without violating the rights of citizens. Public trust in law enforcement is built on competence, transparency, and accountability—none of which were evident in this tragic incident.