LAND PARTY IS SHOCKED AT SHOOTING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

Yesterday, 26th December 2019, a young law enforcement officer from the DA run Overstrand Municipality was shot by a colleague’s gun whilst driving.

The municipality has released this statement:

“A law enforcement officer is in hospital after being shot in a freak accident earlier today (26 December 2019).

The officers were on their way to do patrol when a colleague's firearm discharged in their vehicle.

Municipal Manager Coenie Groenewald said the officer is in intensive care in a local hospital.

He said the investigation is ongoing, but initial reports suggest that the incident could be accidental.”

Land Party want to know how this is even possible! It is unclear as to how the gun went off but the bottom line is that the gun should not have been out of its holster. In addition to the police investigation, we also call for an urgent investigation into the training and competency of Overstrand Law Enforcement officers as this is not the first instance of irresponsible handling of a firearm by one of their officers.

If this was an accident then it means that these young men are not well trained. There are very clear laws about carrying, handling and using a firearm. Having your gun out of its holster whilst travelling in a vehicle is obviously one of them. We cannot have our youngsters going out to perform their duties ill-prepared. The Land Party trusts that the Overstrand Municipality will also urgently ensure that all law enforcement officials receive counselling as they may not be coping with this trauma.

We wish the injured officer a speedy recovery. Our hearts and thoughts and prayers are with him, his colleague, their families and their community.