A Durban police officer has been handed a wholly suspended 10-year prison sentence after fatally shooting his 25-year-old son, whom he mistakenly believed was an intruder at their family home.
The incident occurred four years ago when the officer allegedly heard someone tampering with the property's burglar gate and fired his service firearm in the direction of the perceived intruder.
According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the officer only realised he had shot his son after hearing him scream.
IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said the victim was rushed to hospital for treatment but later died from his injuries.
"The officer allegedly discharged his firearm towards the direction of the alleged intruder, only to realise it was his 25-year-old son after hearing his scream. The son was taken to hospital for medical attention but later succumbed to his injuries," Suping said.
The officer was charged with murder and sentenced in the Chatsworth Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
The court imposed a 10-year prison sentence, wholly suspended for five years. As part of the sentence, the officer will be placed under supervision and has been declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The conviction follows an investigation by IPID into the fatal shooting.