Sharp rise in SA police shootings

Pretoria, 26 March-(ANA)-The number of people killed by South African police has risen by more than 25% in the past year, new figures show.

A government watchdog says that 556 people died at the hands of the police between April 2008 and March 2009.

The news comes as politicians debate an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act about the use of force by police.

Comments by senior ministers recommending a shoot-to-kill policy have provoked a heated argument about police violence in the country.

In 2008 South Africa's then Deputy Minister for Safety and Security Susan Shabangu said police should shoot to kill criminals, following the death of many police officers in the line of duty.(ANA)

FA/ANA/26 March 2010--------