In its relentless efforts aimed at eliminating the brazen rate of police killings in South Africa, the Portfolio Committee on Police will be holding a seminar this coming Wednesday, 17 February 2016 in Parliament.
This seminar, according to the Committee Chairperson Mr Francois Beukman, serves as a platform where legislators, policing experts, organised labour and SAPS top brass will put their heads together in order to come up with a blue print on how best to address the scourge of police killings.
“We need to address the matter of police killings as a national priority. We cannot allow a situation that those who must protect society become mere victims of criminals and those who oppose the rule of law”, said Mr Beukman.
Mr Beukman added that the society as a whole should become involved in the project of ensuring that our police officers have the necessary support from their communities and the appropriate tools of trade to protect their lives.
In 2015, the Committee already had two engagements with police management on this matter and will thus use Wednesday’s session to evaluate the measures introduced since those two engagements.
For Wednesday’s session to achieve its objective, the Committee believes it should focus on three critical matters namely; adherence to back to basics principle of ensuring training and management to equip members sufficiently; the use of technology; and the involvement of the communities in policing.
The fight against police killings was further strengthened by President Jacob Zuma during his 2016 State of the Nation Address where he said “We note sadly, as well that fifty seven police officers have been murdered to date during the 2015/16 financial year. We condemn this criminality strongly. We urge the police to defend themselves when attacked, within the confines of the law.”
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Temba Gubula
Tel: 021 403 8307
Cell: 078 735 8809 / 081 402 3531
E-mail: tgubula@parliament.gov.za
