According to police, the Land Invasion Unit had been demolishing shacks at the Mansenseni Informal Settlement yesterday when community members tried to stop them.  

They say rubber bullets were used to disperse the crowd – leaving two other people wounded.

But Thapelo Mohapi – from shack dwellers movement Abahlali Basemjondolo – says live ammunition was used on residents.

“One member of the community was shot – we searched fro him in the bushes because he ran away from the police. We could see drops of blood leading to the bushes. We do not know what is happening at the moment, we are still searching for him. One of the person that was shot was at the bus stop and was just a visitor in the informal settlement, not a member of the community,” he said.

In a short statement, eThekwini Municipality said it will co-operate fully with the police investigation.

In another e-mailed statement mayoral spokesperson, Mthunzi Gumede says Mayor Zandile Gumede sends her condolences to the family of the man who died.

Listen to the full bulletin below: