In observing President Jacob Zuma’s call-up on the need to strengthen association with the private and public formations, the police National Commissioner, Bheki Cele, spoke to the National Church Leaders Consultation at Southern Sun Intercontinental Johannesburg O R Tambo Airport Hotel, today, 27 October 27, 2009.
Cele implanted to the church leaders the importance of “shepherding a pilgrimage towards the attainment of a safer and better South Africa”.
Amongst the issues that the National Commissioner highlighted during his address is the ongoing attacks that resulted in police killings by villains that get harboured in the communities. “An attack on police is an attack on the rule of law and democracy”, stressed Cele.
Secondly, serious and violent crimes linked to the use of firearms for murder, assault, armed robberies, hijackings, farm attacks, heists, etc, are also crimes of great concern to the police.
Furthermore, he noted that crimes against women and the abduction of children, girls in particular, needed intervention of the religious fraternity by lobbying community support through their congregants against these social ills.
According to Cele, sermons can be used as effective vehicles to emphasize consequences of police killings; empower communities with knowledge and information on how to deal with and prevent domestic violence; encourage members of denominations to speak out by reporting illegal possession of firearms and misuse thereof.
In summation of his input, Cele mobilised the church leaders to join the crusade in the prevention of crime. He requested the faith groups to invoke spiritual support needed by police as they embark on the process of executing their duties without fear in protecting the inhabitants of our country against crime whilst adding that the criminal justice chain needs to be tightened by government.
Media contact:
Assistant Commissioner Nonkululeko Mbatha
Cell: 083 645 6252
