"When will this stop?" - these were the painful words of the National Police Commissioner, General Bheki Cele, when he was informed of yet another killing of a police officer.
Last night police members, a warrant officer and a reservist, were on patrol when they responded to the distress calls of a woman being accosted by two men in the Joe Slovo Informal Settlement in Reigerpark. They pursued the men on foot and shots were fired by one of the suspects. The warrant officer was fatally wounded.
It was just yesterday that General Bheki Cele and his management team undertook the unenviable task of visiting the families of Warrant Officers Lefu Petrus Mokoena (45) and Bhekuyise Mboneni Mahlalela (47) after they were gunned down on Sunday night in Vosloorus."Communities, business, non governmental organisations (NGOs), religious and other leaders as well as the media have already pledged their support in combating this heinous scourge. But obviously much more will have to be done - and soon - to protect the protectors", said General Bheki Cele.
The statistics of murder on police officers in 2011 are frighteningly high and a concerted effort must be made to ensure that the numbers do not go into triple digits shortly.
Just two months ago the National Commissioner labelled killings as a national crisis and this was followed by a Summit on Attacks on Police Officers earlier this month. A programme of action which was drawn up based on various inputs and discussions at the Summit are due to be released by the Ministry of Police shortly.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) researches international best practices in law enforcement to provide our members with the best possible tactical training as well as equipment, such as bulletproof vests and top of the range weapons, to ensure that they have the tools needed to ensure their safety.
"I want to make another appeal to the people of South Africa to help stop the murder of police officers. The time has come for communities to say "Hands off our cops", pleaded General Bheki Cele."The police officers that are being killed are spouses, parents, siblings and children but also - importantly - they are from your community trying to keep you safe", added Cele.
Enquiries:
Colonel Vishnu Naidoo
Cell: 082 567 4153
Source: South African Police Service
