COMPETENCY OF POLICE OFFICERS UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT AFTER LATEST SHOOTING INCIDENT

Stringent selection processes and proper psychological assessments should be a priority in the appointment of officers to the Metro Police and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

This is according to KZN violence monitor Mary de Haas, who said the appointment of people who are not in the right frame of mind was a danger to women, children and the communities at large.

Haas was commenting on the murder of a 40-year-old Durban woman by her Metro Police husband in their Illovo home yesterday morning.

At this stage, it is not clear what led to the shooting but Metro Police spokesperson Boysie Zungu said the matter had since been handed over to the SAPS.

Zungu said the man (45) allegedly shot and killed his wife and thereafter shot their 19-year-old son, who survived, before turning the gun on himself. “We can confirm the incident, and that both parents are dead, but the son survived the shooting. The motive for the shooting is not known but the SAPS is handling the investigation. The son is being treated in hospital,” said Zungu.

De Haas questioned the selection process and the assessment potential candidates go through before they are appointed.

“This is a concern. Both the Metro Police and the SAPS selection processes need to be put under scrutiny. What is the level of their competency tests? Many people are not supposed to be either in the Metro Police or SAPS but they are there. It is one thing to verify certificates of recruits but it’s a totally different one to check testimonials from all those who were in charge of the recruits at their respective schools,” said De Haas.

She said lack of supervision and background checks was worsening the situation as this allows incompetent people to remain in the service.

“Domestic violence is the avenue where we’re failing women. It’s outrageous and very worrying. How are we going to protect women and children if law enforcers are the perpetrators of such crimes?” she asked.

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said murder and attempted murder cases have been opened.

An inquest docket was also registered.

“When police arrived at the crime scene in Thokozani Nene Road, the two bodies were found lying on the floor and were declared dead at the scene. The motive for the shooting is unknown at this stage,” said Netshiunda.