Police in Alexandra are accused of shooting a 5-year-old boy during a shootout with alleged hijackers on Tuesday.
Gontse Mathebula had been sent to the tuckshop when he was allegedly caught in crossfire.
He is recuperating in hospital.
While police have confirmed the shootout, they say the child was knocked down by a speeding vehicle of the alleged criminals.
They say a suspected hijacker was killed during the skirmish.
Mathebula is alleged to be a fifth Alexandra resident to be a victim of police officers in five years.