Johannesburg - A 22-year-old man has been shot and killed by police in Amalia, North West, after allegedly attacking officers repeatedly with a knife, police said on Wednesday.
“Police were called to attend to a domestic violence complaint where the suspect (deceased) allegedly fought with his sisters and stabbed one of them on her right hand with a knife,” said Brigadier Thulani Ngubane.
“She sustained injuries and was transferred to the hospital for medical treatment.
When police arrived on the scene at Molatswaneng village, in Amalia around 1pm on Monday, the man was very aggressive, and allegedly charged at the police in an attempt to chase them away.
“One police officer fell and sustained serious hand injuries and was transported to hospital,” he said.
“It is alleged that the suspect continued to harass and charged at everyone he came across with a knife.”
Police warned the man verbally and used pepper spray to calm him down, but neither intervention had any impact in convincing him to corporate with police.
“He further went on to attack bystanders with a knife,” Ngubane said.
“The suspect charged at a police member who fired two warning shots but the suspect did not stop.”
The officer, in defending himself, allegedly fatally shot the man in his chest when he continued approaching the officer with the intention to attack him with a knife.
“The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has been informed of the case and they are investigating the matter,” Ngubane said.
Sapa