The Portfolio Committee on Police sends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the five people who died as a result of a tragic shooting in Alexandra yesterday.
Committee Chairperson, Mr Francois Beukman, described yesterday’s incident as tragic and something that should not occur again, more so that the incident took place in a police station and involved a policeman – a person who is supposed to protect others.
The fact that the killing of three civilians and a senior police officer (with a rank of major) who was helping the complainant occurred at a police station, according to Mr Beukman, pointed to the need for tighter security measures at police stations across the country. “As much as police stations are public spaces, it is becoming increasingly clear that there is a need to put strict security measures and additional protocols in order to detect any unwanted weapons from entering the stations,” said Mr Beukman.
Mr Beukman added that South African citizens need to feel safe and free when they go to seek help from police stations. He added that the Committee had been calling on the SAPS management to provide lifestyle support programmes and counselling services to police officers to help them overcome some of the personal challenges they could be having. The Committee will raise this and other related issues with the National Police Commissioner on Wednesday next week when she appears before the Committee.
Enquiries:
Temba Gubula
Tel: 021 403 8307
Cell: 078 735 8809
Email: tgubula@parliament.gov.za
