Be the first to act when you have to use force proportional to the threat - Minister Cele tells police officers
The Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele has made a call to police officers across the country “to be the first to act when they have to use force proportional to the threat”. Minister Cele was addressing hundreds of mourners and police officers at the funeral of Sergeant Kediemetse Masilo in Schweizer Reneke, North West.
Sergeant Masilo died earlier this week while tracing a stolen vehicle in Kimberley. She allegedly died at the hands of her perpetrator, 38-year-old Daniel Alberts who according to records is a repeat offender. The perpetrator has already appeared before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on two counts of murder, three of robbery with aggravating circumstances, one of motor vehicle theft and one of theft.
Speaker after speaker decried the killing of police officers, on and off duty.
In attendance at the funeral was the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Mr Kenny Morolong, the MEC of Community Safety in the Northern Cape, Ms Nomandla Bloem, National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola and the Provincial Commmissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola.
Thirty-one (31) is the number of police officers that have died on and off duty in the last three months.
Minister Cele supported by the management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and representatives of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) have urged police officers not to hesitate to act.
“Be vigilant and operationally ready to act in any circumstances. If force is required, it must at all times be necessary, reasonable and proportional. I plead with you don’t die with the resources and tools that we have given you”, said Minister Cele.
The funeral of Constable Mandindi who died together with Sergeant Masilo will be laid to rest on Saturday, 02 September 2023 in Pampierstad, Northern Cape.
Both members were attached to the Kimberley Flying Squad at the time of their death.
The commemoration of thirty-four (34) police officers will also be held next week Sunday on 03 September 2023, at the Union Buildings where the SAPS will pay tribute to its fallen heroes and heroines who died in the line of duty in the 2022/2023 financial year.
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