Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has once again called upon South Africans to condemn the brutal murders of police officers.
Speaking at the SAPS national commemoration ceremony at the Union Buildings, Ramaphosa said 40 officers were killed in the line of duty. Overall, 72 police officers lost their lives during the past year.
“The death of one officer is one too many. All South Africans need to condemn the killing of police officers and work together to create a society that respects the rule of law,” he said.
The Deputy President said one of youngest officers killed was 28-year-old Sabelo Nkunzi, who was shot just two days before Christmas.
“That officer left behind three children, one of whom was only a month old. It is difficult to understand the callous regard for human life those that pulled the trigger had at that very moment,” said Ramaphosa.
He, however, urged communities not to risk their lives by taking matters into their own hands.
“We would never ask for communities to take on the task meant for professionally and adequately trained police officers. The public should rather join community policing forums and mobilise to be the eyes and ears of the police and tip them off regarding any suspicious activity,” he added.
Independent Media