The police watchdog body are investigating a case of attempted murder against a policeman who climbed onto the roof of a house and shot in the head a man who was evading arrest.
A shocking video showing incident, which happened in Cathcart on Friday, in vivid detail has gone viral.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesperson Moses Dlamini said it happened after police failed to persuade the man to climb down and submit to arrest.
He is in a serious condition in hospital.
In the video, onlookers are heard screaming: “Why did you have to kill him?”
Two police vans and about three officers are seen standing on the ground with onlookers looking up as the man sits on the roof.
Moments later, a policeman appears behind the man, who jumps up and pulls an object from his side.
He then moves towards the policeman, who fires a single shot into the man’s head.
Dlamini said: “It is alleged the negotiators were called after the police tried to ask the victim to come down.
“It is alleged that one police officer climbed on the roof and that the victim drew a knife and advanced towards the SAPS member who fired a shot towards the victim.
“No arrest has been made.”
Eastern Cape provincial police spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci said a case of resisting arrest had been opened against the injured man.
The video sparked heated debate on social media, with many saying the officer had a right to defend himself while others slammed him for being too quick on the trigger.
Among the online comments was Kenny Mwange, who wrote: “That police officer deserves the order of Ikhamanga from Ramaphosa!”
Joseph JayTee Thebehadi wrote: “An innocent person would have obeyed the officer and handed himself over and the courts would clear him.
“The way I see it, he decided his fate. Nabanye [others] must know that this is what awaits their smart-ass selves.”
Vuyokazi Qumba said: “This is a straight case for jail for murder for the cop.
“That [man] presented no clear danger, was not armed and did not advance towards him. Trigger-happy cops have no place in civil society, Let me share this vid.”
Taka buddy Vhee Junior said: “Most of people are just talking and don't know how criminal law works in South Africa.
“It’s the police who went to the ‘suspect’. The guy was sitting down on the roof.
“If police knew their job could have talked the guy out of what he was thinking. This is brutality. In cases like these u even have to call a friend or any one that he listens to.”..