Primrose Str resident shot in the leg as gang of cops accused of beating up residents… certainly not a rosy picture

There are a growing number of instances where members of the SAPS have been accused by residents as the aggressors, instead of the protectors of the community.

This follows yet another complaint received by the Laudium Sun, with a local resident apparently being shot by a police member. The shooting incident, which took place this past Saturday night (August 1) at around 11:30pm on Primrose Street, Laudium, resulted in a resident, identified as Indrajen Pillay (Kishen), sustaining serious injuries to his left leg. According to reports received, the specialised police unit of about 20 were in the area for a special operation, when their members are believed to have assaulted some residents, with one of their members accused of shooting Indrajen.

Mohamed Riad Pillay, of Primrose Street told the Laudium Sun, “On Saturday, I spent the day with friends and family distributing food to members of the community in need. Later that night, at around 11:30pm, we were sitting peacefully outside my home around a fire, when a Public Order Policing (POP) vehicle arrived, with four officers. An officer, identified as Officer Tsebe, approached me. I respectfully asked how we could assist, but instead of explaining, I was violently grabbed from my chair and pushed into the police vehicle. The police officer said to me, ‘I’m starting with you.’ He demanded to search me. I agreed, but only if the search was videoed with my cellphone, as I noticed he was holding a white bottle with a red cap and feared being falsely implicated. After some argument, the officer agreed and the search was recorded. Nothing was found—no drugs, no weapons and no illegal items. After assaulting me, the officers then left. About 15 minutes later, they returned with more officers. Approximately 15
heavily armed officers approached us on foot, pointing R5 rifles and shotguns directly at us. We were ordered to lie on the ground, assaulted and treated like criminals. During the incident, I witnessed a bystander being shot by one of the officers. We were then marched on foot to the Laudium Police Station. Despite what I believe is clear video evidence showing my innocence, I was later charged with malicious damage to state property, which I strongly deny. I already have a case open with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) involving these POP officers. Because of this, I believe this incident may have been an act of retaliation to intimidate me for speaking out. This assault happened shortly after certain groups of our community were visited by the Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia. If communities are promised safety, but residents experience intimidation and violence from police, serious questions must be asked. Where was the Community Policing Forum? Where was the accountability? The people of White Blocks are not invisible. Our lives matter. Our rights matter. I call for an immediate and independent investigation into the conduct of all the officers involved. No police officer should misuse their authority and no community should live in fear of those meant to protect them.”

Poovie Moonsamy, also of Primrose Street and the mother of Kishen (Indrajen Pillay), told the Laudium Sun, “My son and I heard a commotion outside on Saturday night, so we both went out to see what was happening. There was already a crowd gathered on the street. As we stood there, we saw about 15 to 20 police officers coming down the road. Our street has been dark for many years and that night was no different. The next moment, we heard a gunshot. My son then said, ‘I’m shot.’ I thought he was joking at first. I went back upstairs, not realising the seriousness of the situation. Moments later, I heard my daughter screaming, ‘No, he is shot. Kishen is shot.’ That is when I ran back downstairs in panic. When I reached him, I saw that he had indeed been shot in the leg. It was a terrifying moment for our family and everything happened so quickly. We immediately called for help, and an ambulance was called. As a mother, it is extremely painful and traumatising to see your child injured in such a manner. No parent should ever have to experience something like this, especially under circumstances where those meant to protect the community are allegedly involved in harming your children. My son was not a threat to anyone. He was simply outside when all of this unfolded. The shooting of my son has left our family shaken, distressed and searching for answers. I strongly believe that justice must be served. We cannot allow incidents like this to continue without accountability. As a family, we are now taking steps to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. I will be pursuing legal action against the state for the assault and the injuries caused to my son. This is not only about my child, but about ensuring that no other family has to go through such pain and trauma. We call on the relevant authorities to conduct a full and independent investigation into this matter. The community deserves to feel safe and those entrusted with protecting us must be held to the highest standard of responsibility and conduct.”

Primrose Street resident, Yugan Shervago Reddy, who is an eyewitness to the incident, told the Laudium Sun, “On Saturday night, we were playing pool next door to where the shooting incident took place. Everything was normal until I noticed, a police kombi pulling up outside. Two officers jumped out, and within seconds more followed. It quickly became clear that this was not a routine visit. My neighbours were sitting outside their yard, speaking calmly with the officers. Suddenly, one of the officers grabbed a man from the pavement, right by his gate and pulled him into the street. They began searching him, but the situation escalated very quickly. The officers became aggressive, pulling and pushing people around, trying to force them into compliance. Some of us started recording the incident and the officers seemed to notice the cameras positioned outside. They then left the scene. For a moment, it felt like the tension had passed, but that was far from the truth. About 20 minutes later, they returned, this time in greater numbers. More police officers rushed into the same house, heavily armed with rifles and shotguns. The atmosphere turned into one of fear and panic. It looked as if they were prepared to shoot at anyone in sight. Residents were still outside, there were children and elderly people present and no regard was shown for their safety. The police began assaulting my neighbour, with several officers hitting and dragging him along the ground. The situation was completely out of control. Then, without warning, a gunshot rang out. The sound echoed through the street and in that moment, everything changed. A bystander, who had been sitting at the bottom of the street near the church, was shot. Panic spread instantly among the residents. People were shouting, running, and trying to understand what had just happened. It was a horrifying scene something no community should ever have to experience. What started as a calm evening turned into chaos and fear within minutes. After the shooting, residents made their way to the police station in an attempt to seek answers and resolve the situation. But for many of us, the harm had already been done. That night will not be forgotten.”

Shaleen Kallier, another eyewitness and Primrose Street resident, told the Laudium Sun, “We were all sitting near the game shop that night, talking and minding our own business, when everything suddenly changed. Out of nowhere, the police arrived and rushed straight towards Mohammed. There was no warning, no explanation just chaos. They grabbed him aggressively and within seconds, several officers began attacking him. That is when the rest of us rushed outside, shocked at what we were seeing. The situation escalated very quickly. The officers tried to take him away, pulling him aside as if to search him, but their actions seemed far more forceful than necessary. At one point, I saw them move towards the corner, and it appeared as though they were changing the number plates on their vehicle before leaving the scene. It felt strange and unsettling, like something was not right. For a brief moment, there was silence, but it did not last. Shortly afterwards, they came back this time with urgency and aggression. They rushed in again, grabbed Mohammed once more, and started pulling him towards the police station. The fear in the street was overwhelming. People were shouting, trying to understand what was happening, while others stood frozen in shock. As they passed the corner, everything took a terrifying turn. A gunshot suddenly rang out, echoing through the street. In that instant, Kishen was shot. The sound alone was enough to send panic through everyone. People started screaming, running, and trying to make sense of the horror unfolding before us. It was a scene of complete chaos. Children were crying, neighbours were shouting, and no one knew what to do. We
could not believe that something like this was happening right in front of us. After the shooting, many of us went to the police station, desperate for answers. We remained at the police station until around 3am. Eventually, my husband and I had to leave because I had a small child to care for at home. From what I witnessed, the boys were sitting quietly and were not doing anything wrong when the police approached and attacked them. What happened that night was deeply disturbing.”

When contacted for comment, the Laudium Police Station referred the Laudium Sun to the Tshwane District Communication co-ordinator. The Laudium Sun is still awaiting a statement.