The South African Police Service does not have a shoot-to-kill policy. "Shoot to kill" is in fact the invention of the media. The policy of the South African Police Service and the Ministry is as follows: If the life of a member or of any other person is in danger and there is no other way for the member to protect himself or herself, or the other person whose life is in danger, but to shoot at the person who is posing the danger, the member may use his or her firearm to shoot at the person posing the danger.
Should this result in the death of a person posing the danger, the action of the member will be justified as self-defence in terms of the law. This is in line with section 11 of the South African Constitution. Police officers who are confronted or faced with violent armed criminals have been instructed to defend themselves and citizens where necessary. Thank you. [Applause.]