The National Institute for Crime Prevention and Reintegration of Offenders (Nicro) has called Sunday?s shooting of innocent civilians by flying squad officers "a reckless slaughter."

One woman was killed and two others were wounded when police in Mabopane, outside Pretoria, mistook the car they were travelling in for a hijacked vehicle.

The driver of the car escaped unharmed after officers sprayed his vehicle with bullets, allegedly because he tried to speed away from the flying squad unit.

The driver, a South African Air Force captain, says the officers only flashed their blue lights once before opening fire.

Police officials claim the officers flashed their lights and sounded their sirens.

Nicro's Celia Dawson says she is worried this is a sign of times to come because of National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele's "shoot to kill" comments.

President Jacob Zuma has also made similar statements in recent weeks.

Opinion: Who pulled the trigger?