Spear-wielding Umbumbulu 'mental patient' shot after attack on brother
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has launched a probe after a spear-wielding man was shot and killed by police in Umbumbulu, southwest of Durban.
According to the police watchdog, a 52-year-old man, believed to be a mental patient, forced his way into the room of his sibling was sleeping in in the early hours of this morning.
IPID says the man stabbed his brother with the spear several times before returning to his own room.
When police arrived at the home in KwaMoya to arrest him, he resisted.
A hostage negotiator later tried to calm him down, but their efforts were also in vain.
The police watchdog says Bluff Task Force was also called.
IPID spokesperson Grace Langa says the man emerged from his room with the spear.
"The suspect charged towards the negotiator with the intention to attack the negotiator. It is further alleged that the police officers then fired shots at the suspect. He sustained five gunshot wounds, and he died on the scene.
"Eight spent carriages were seized. Both the deceased's bodies were taken to the mortuary. We are investigating. We collected statements from family members of the deceased and we interviewed other witnesses."
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