President Jacob Zuma says police do not have a licence to kill.

He said he had noted continuing media reports about the use of force which had at times led to the death of innocent people including children.

Zuma said police did not have permission to shoot suspects except in circumstances provided by the law.

He said it was the police's duty to protect all citizens against injury or loss of life but when lives of innocent civilians were threatened, officers had no choice but to use lethal force.

Zuma urged police to observe the law and respect the rights of the innocent at all times.

The plea comes as Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula reiterated it was unavoidable bystanders would be killed in the crossfire between police and criminals.

The Independent Complaints Directorate is probing a number of murder cases against police in several provinces.

The latest incident involves the murder of a three-year-old boy who was shot dead by police while they were chasing suspects in Rabie Ridge near Midrand.