# Lockdown: Number of deaths from police action rises to 8 – surpasses SA’s Covid-19 casualties

- Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/2020/04/03/lockdown-number-of-deaths-from-police-action-rises-to-8-surpasses-sas-covid-19-casualties/
- Published: 2020-04-03T15:32:38+02:00
- Author: dearSA

![](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20191119/Screenshot-
39.png "Screenshot (39)")

Eight deaths have allegedly occurred at the hands of police since the start of the
nationwide lockdown on 26 March, according to the Independent Police Investigative
Directorate (IPID).

On Friday, IPID released a breakdown of the complaints they had received since the
lockdown came into effect.

Six deaths came as a result of police action and the remaining two were in police
custody.

The six deaths as a result of police action were recorded in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal
and Western Cape, while the two deaths in police custody were both in Limpopo.

**Assault cases**

Thirteen assault cases have been lodged with IPID, as well as 13 cases of police
discharging an official firearm.

There were also three cases of corruption by police officials, which were recorded
in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.

A total of 38 cases was lodged with IPID since the start of the 21-day lockdown.

**Excessive force**

On Tuesday, News24 reported that[ police were facing three counts of murder](https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/cops-face-3-counts-of-murder-and-other-serious-charges-amid-lockdown-20200331),
allegedly as a result of excessive force. IPID are investigating.

In Langa, Cape Town, a man was allegedly [shot dead](https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/lockdown-langa-man-shot-dead-after-police-threatened-with-knife-during-chase-ipid-20200331)
by police after he charged at officers with a knife during a chase.

In another case, a man died after being [tasered by police](https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/lockdown-man-dies-after-allegedly-being-tasered-and-beaten-by-police-ipid-investigating-20200330)
in the Western Cape while he was on a beer run.

The number of deaths due to the police’s actions has dramatically increased. It,
in fact, surpasses the amount of deaths due to Covid-19 in the country, which currently
sits at seven.

[Article by News 24](https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/lockdown-number-of-deaths-from-police-action-rises-to-8-surpasses-sas-covid-19-casualties-20200403?isapp=true)