‘Speeches will not prevent cop killings’

Popcru accused Police Minister Nathi Nhleko and government of not doing enough to combat police killings.

Popcru accused Police Minister Nathi Nhleko and government of not doing enough to combat police killings.

Published Nov 20, 2015

Share

Pretoria - Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) on Friday accused Police Minister Nathi Nhleko and government of not doing enough to combat the killing of police officers across South Africa.

“The march today is basically about demanding action. There hasn't been much done from the side of the police minister in terms of having a practical programme to ensure the killings are curbed,” said Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo.

“We will be marching to the office of the acting national police commissioner, the minister of police and the department of justice where will submit memorandums. We are of the view that police in South Africa are not being protected,” said Mamabolo.

He said there was “general demoralisation” among members of the South African Police Service.

“They are vulnerable. At this point there is a low morale amongst police officers across the country. They are not being defended thoroughly. We have demands relating to their security and the tools that police use. There are also legislative frameworks we want to the reviewed,” said Mamabolo.

He said more than 74 police officers have been targeted and killed since January. “This month alone, we have had almost 16 police officers killed. We feel that we have not had a stance from government. What we have is speeches which result in no action,” said Mamabolo.

One leader of the protesters shouted on a raised platform: “Shoot to kill, shoot to kill” repeatedly. In September, President Jacob Zuma urged police officers to defend themselves against criminals, and said numerous additional interventions to halt the murder of police officers were being considered.

Zuma was addressing a sombre audience ”including the families of slain officers” at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, marking the annual SAPS national commemoration day in honour of police officers killed in the line of duty. “We urge you to defend yourselves with everything at your disposal if you are attacked, within the confines of the law. Our laws allow the police to fight back decisively when their lives or those of the public are threatened,” Zuma said at the time.

“A total of 63 officers were killed on duty between April 2014 and March 2015. Even the death of one police officer would be one too many and would be unacceptable.”

African News Agency

Related Topics: