A critically injured woman, who had been shot in the neck, was left bleeding on a dusty roadside whilst police and security vehicles drove off.
This was one of the horrific scenes that small children and other community members experienced when a SAPS zama zama operation went wrong.
“I am deeply alarmed and outraged by disturbing video footage, widely circulated on social media, depicting an incident in Western Holdings (Rheederpark Extension 2) that has left the community in shock,” says Estelle Dansey, DA ward councillor.
What was initially communicated to residents as a zama zama operation—conducted by a mining security company in partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS)—quickly escalated into a scene of violence and chaos. During the operation, live ammunition was allegedly fired in a residential area, and a female bystander was shot in the neck, allegedly by police.
“Even more disturbing, the footage shows SAPS members leaving the scene without rendering any medical assistance to the wounded woman. Reports further allege that police later returned to the area and assaulted community members with rattan (sjambok), fuelling anger and deepening mistrust,” says Dansey.
“A 17-year-old pregnant girl was told ‘you will give birth in the mortuary’, and another community member was threatened with death.”
Angry community members marched to the Welkom Police station to lay a charge against the police. The matter is being investigated by IPID.
Dansey continues: “That this brutality occurred during Women’s Month—a time meant to honour and protect women—makes it more disgraceful. A woman being shot by those sworn to protect her, and then abandoned without aid, is a gross violation of human rights and a damning indictment of our policing standards.”
Dansey says the DA calls on the Station Commander of Welkom SAPS to immediately address the community regarding the events of 14 August, explain how live ammunition was used in a densely populated residential area, provide urgent clarity on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and present a clear and actionable plan to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.
She says the police must also initiate a formal, transparent investigation into both the shooting and the alleged assaults by SAPS members.
The enraged community marched to the Welkom police station to protest the shooting of the woman.
On Friday morning, the enraged community marched to the Welkom police station to protest the abhorrent police brutality and treatment of their community members.
“We will monitor this matter closely and will not rest until those responsible are held to account and the community’s trust in law enforcement is restored,” says Dansey.
The community has laid a charge at the Welkom Police Station. The incident has been handed over to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for investigation.
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