UPDATE: 5.20pm

According to Sgt George Dhlamini, live ammunition was allegedly used in the death of a young boy whose age cannot yet be confirmed.

“We don’t know how it happened.”

“However the police I’ve seen are using rubber bullets.”

19 May – 2pm

The Standerton Advertiser reported moments earlier that a rumour was spreading about a child that was hit by a rubber bullet.

Sgt George Dhlamini of the Sakhile Police Station just confirmed the child died in hospital.

He was allegedly shot in the head.

The boy’s name is known to the Standerton Advertiser, but it could not be published due to uncertainty whether his next of kin has been informed.

According to Sgt Dhlamini, three other people have been rushed to hospital as well as one police officer, Sgt Simile of the Secunda Crime Prevention Unit, who sustained head injuries after he was struck by stones.