For three consecutive years, KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of deaths due to police action. This was revealed in the latest annual report from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). According to the report, 134 people died in the province.
The Eastern Cape follows close by with 108 people being killed by police during the 2025/2026 financial year. During testimonies at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, Deputy Director for IPID in KZN, Jon Len, revealed that they may have been heavy-handed in their approach to fighting crime.
While KZN still ranks number one in the number of people who died because of police action, there has been a 20% decrease in this category compared to the previous financial year.
