A notice from the South African Police Service directed officers to pursue criminal prosecution of suspects even after they were killed in the shooting. Some lawyers have called this illogical and it has raised concerns about manipulation of crime statistics.
An official South African Police Service (SAPS) communication has instructed officers to ensure that suspects killed in self-defense shootings are still charged criminally for that incident and any other matters involving them at the time.
The three-page communication, dated November 2025, is addressed to the country's provincial police bosses and asks them to inform “all members under your command”.
It states that when a suspect is killed during an exchange of fire with police officers or a private person acting in self-defence, “the deceased should be charged” on the Crime Administration System (CAS) or Integrated Case Docket Management System (ICDMS) in respect of all case dockets associated with him.
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The directive was signed by Major General RM Mogale, acting division head of the police's detective and forensic services.
'Ridiculous' vs. crime-fighting
Some in police and legal circles find the directive strange, with one lawyer calling it “illogical and absurd” and another calling it “ridiculous.”
Police sources are also concerned that it could be used for ulterior reasons, such as manipulating crime statistics.
However, national police chiefs believe it is important to respond to crimes, even by death (and even if…