Johannesburg - A more focused crime-fighting strategy to tackle aggravated robbery, among others, is crucial because the levels of serious and violent crimes are on the rise, says Johan Burger of the Institute for Security Studies.
His comments follow the killing of yet another police officer in the line of duty.
The officer was shot dead on Thursday at Orange Farm train station by unknown gunmen. His colleague was critically injured.
The robbers fled with their service pistols and a firearm from the station security guard.
Seven policemen have been killed countrywide in less that two weeks. A total of 55 have been killed since the beginning of the year. The figure includes SAPS and metro police members.
The Gauteng government and Crime Line will be hosting a night vigil on Friday.
Burger said there was a need for a focused strategy to deal with aggravated robbery.
“Criminals are desperate and they will do anything not to be caught, even if it means killing the police to get away. This is mostly done by organised criminals,” he said.
Government interventions like Operation Fiela were necessary but weren’t responding to the need to deal with violent crimes, Burger added.
He said crime intelligence was weakened when top officials like former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli faced charges. The government’s drive to confiscate illegal firearms in the hands of criminals would do little if there wasn’t a detailed strategy.
Burger said the police also needed to be upskilled on how to respond to aggravated robbery and on using advanced guns to match those used by robbers
A memorial service was held in honour of slain officers Njabulo Buthelezi, Celimpilo Hlabisa and James Seolwane in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, on Tuesday.
In another killing, Hawks officer Petrus Holz was stabbed to death on the N2 in Cape Town two weeks ago.
The Gauteng Department of Community Safety, Crime Line and the Gauteng Community Police Board are to host the vigil from 6pm at Johannesburg Central police station in Commissioner Street.
The vigil will be led by Premier David Makhura and MEC for Community Safety Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane. Various anti-crime activists will also attend.
The public has been encouraged to attend and bring along candles.
Nkosi-Malobane said: “We cannot sit back and watch our men and women in blue being murdered. The time has come to stand up and mobilise against cop killings.”
Crime Line’s Yusuf Abramjee said: “Let’s all unite. We must say enough is enough. These brazen attacks on our police are an attack on all of us. When criminals have this little regard for the lives of police officers, they have even less for the public.”
Andy Mashaile of the police board has appealed to all CPFs from across the province to support the night vigil.
The Star