Sowetan

Police trainee dies after being shot by instructor

Recruit was to finish December

- By Zoë Mahopo mahopoz@sowetan.co.za

A police trainee, 26, who died after being accidental­ly shot by an instructor at the Tactical Police Academy in Thabazimbi, Limpopo, was expected to graduate in December.

Police spokespers­on Athlenda Mathe confirmed that an investigat­ion had been launched by the national police commission­er, Gen Fannie Masemola, to establish the circumstan­ces of the incident that happened on Sunday.

Mathe said the trainee was among those who enrolled as part of SAPS major drive to recruit 10,000 police officers.

“While an internal investigat­ion is under way, the matter has been referred to the Independen­t Police Investigat­ive Directorat­e (Ipid). Psychologi­sts, social workers and chaplains from the employee health and wellness component are currently providing psychosoci­al support to the family of the deceased and all affected,” she said.

Masemola assured that the SAPS would cooperate with the Ipid investigat­ion.

“This is an unfortunat­e incident. We request space to conduct a thorough investigat­ion to be able to determine the circumstan­ces surroundin­g the incident. We pledge our full support to the family of the deceased and all affected,” Masemola said.

Ipid spokespers­on Lizzy Suping confirmed that an investigat­ion was under way. “It is alleged that the new recruits were undergoing tactical and combat training when the student officer was accidental­ly killed,” Suping said.

She said they would announce the outcome of the investigat­ion once it’s done.

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