Distinguished Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura
MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Molabane
The Gauteng Community Police Board Chair, Mr Andy Mashaile
Crime Line Head, Mr Abramjee
Members of the community
Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. I would have loved to be meeting with you on a subject other than that of the current onslaught on police officials. The continual murder of police officials has even compelled the first citizen of this country to add his voice publicly, calling upon every citizen to submit ideas on how this problem can be dealt with swiftly.
This gathering symbolises an act of patriotism, an act of caring, by the community that we as the South African Police Service (SAPS) serve. On behalf of the SAPS, I would like to use this opportunity to express our deepest condolences to all the families of members who have lost their lives.
Our gathering tonight demonstrates the selfless concern that all role players, including the government, have for the welfare of others, in particular the men and women in blue. We will not forget our brothers and sisters, as well as the traffic police officers, who endeavour to uphold their constitutional mandate of serving the people of this country. We remain an important thread that holds this society together by tirelessly fighting crime in all corners of our society.
Ladies and gentlemen, there are various factors that influence the murder of police officials. The attacks emanate from our concerted efforts and proactive approach towards the perpetrators of crime. Our officials are targeted in the execution of their duties and also for their firearms, not only when they are on duty, but also when they are off duty. Policing is a perilous profession, however, the murder of the custodians of the law can never be tolerated.
Ladies and gentlemen, without the police, without laws, we do not even want to imagine what this beloved country of ours could deteriorate into. We can therefore never allow criminals to terrorise our law-enforcement officials in this manner. The disregard for human life demonstrated by these criminals, is shocking. The untold pain they cause the families, relatives, close friends and colleagues of our fallen members, calls for all of us to unite tonight and add to the voices condemning these deeds. There is no justification for a father or mother being gunned down in the line of duty.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind the people of South Africa that today, the SAPS is a Service. The SAPS’s vision is to prevent anything that may threaten the safety or security of any community; investigate any crime that threatens the safety or security of any community; ensure that criminals are brought to justice; maintain stability and participate in all efforts to address the root causes of crime.
In other words, the SAPS is not the enemy of the people. It is an extended arm of the government, just like any other government department. When protests arise in our communities and you see us on duty, we request that you please respect us because we are there to maintain peace and harmony in our communities. Domestic violence, fraud, assault, murder, women and child trafficking and all other forms of crime should be our number one enemy as a society. Not the police.
As the SAPS, we risk our lives for you day and night. We therefore call upon all South Africans to cooperate with us and rally behind us in these trying times. It is only August and we already have 54 police officials murdered. It affects all of us negatively to continuously learn of yet another police member being gunned down, almost every day.
Ladies and gentlemen, the attacks on and killing of police officials undermines the rule of law. These attacks have a negative impact on the morale of all the members of the SAPS, the vast majority of whom remain committed to providing the quality of service emphasized in our National Development Plan (NDP).
Ladies and gentlemen, employees of the SAPS who die in violent circumstances, be it road collisions or due to unnatural circumstances, as well as those who are attacked, remain a serious concern and a matter of priority. In addition, the loss of valuable skilled human resources has a negative impact on service delivery and the entire organisation.
The Minister of Police has expressed grave concern regarding the attacks on and the unnatural death of members of the SAPS and has, therefore, instructed that the matter be attended to in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, which resulted in the development and implementation of the SAPS’s police safety strategy.
Ladies and gentlemen, the safety of all members will be ensured through the stringent implementation of appropriate, preventative measures in an integrated and collective manner. Our vision is ensuring that we improve the operational readiness of all members through the continuous development of their operational and tactical skills and the provision of adequate and state-of-the-art safety equipment.
As we gather here today, may we remember that these men and women in blue have paid the ultimate price for a noble cause. They took the oath understanding that evil should never prevail over peace. Lawlessness was never going to engulf South Africa in their name. We will forever be indebted to them for their selflessness. Together, we will hold hands and ensure that the ultimate sacrifice they made, was not in vain.
Courageous men and women in blue, please observe our safety measures at all times to protect yourselves when carrying out your duties.
Ladies and gentlemen, rest assured that we will not be deterred. We will improve our game and zealously bring to book those who never think twice when shooting and murdering police officials. May I take this opportunity to thank the Premier for hosting us in this city, and the MEC for Community Safety to be part of this clarion call for police safety. We condemn these heinous crimes in the strongest terms.
Thank you.
