The police’s controversial shoot to kill policy is in the spotlight as an officer sits behind bars, charged with killing a three-year-old Rabie Ridge boy.

The policeman allegedly shot and killed Atlegang Phalane at the weekend, while chasing after a car believed to be linked to a murder case.

The police officer from the Alexandra Police Station has now been taken off duty.

He was arrested after the shooting on Saturday night.

The officer and his colleague had been chasing after suspects linked to a murder in Klipfontein.

The policeman opened fire on the car the alleged criminals were travelling in, apparently because he had mistaken a pipe for a firearm.

The youngster who was sitting in the backseat of the vehicle died on scene.

The officer appeared in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on Monday were his case was postponed to the 18th of November.

The matter is now being investigated by the Independent Complaints Directorate.