The IFP, as the Official Opposition in the KZN Legislature, calls for tougher punishment for criminals who kill police officers in the line of duty. This, after a policeman was killed in one of two incidents in which eight suspects were shot, four fatally, in eThekwini on Tuesday afternoon.
Police killings are out of control in KwaZulu-Natal. An attack on members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) is an attack on the state. Police officers play a vital role in keeping communities safe. As has been tragically demonstrated in recent years, this role is a dangerous one, which can lead to officers paying the ultimate price while serving their community.
Becoming a police officer means that you choose to possibly sacrifice your own life in order to save and protect others. It is unacceptable that officers of the law continue to lose their lives, especially while they are on duty. The IFP commends those police officers who work tirelessly to ensure the safety of our communities.
Dangerous criminals have declared war against the SAPS. The Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, KZN MEC of Community Safety and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka, KZN Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and National Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen Fannie Masemola, must urgently table strategic measures to ensure the safety of men and women in blue.
As the IFP, we are of the opinion that police killers must be denied bail and parole.
Courts must show no mercy to police killers. The merciless ambushes and attacks on our police must end.
The IFP believes that crime must be eradicated in our society. There is no death that is acceptable due to crime. All lives matter, irrespective of who is killed.
In conclusion, we would like to send our deepest condolences to families of the departed heroes who died in line of duty.
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Contact
Mr Blessed Gwala MPL
Leader of the Official Opposition in the KZN Legislature and IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Community Safety and Liaison
078 290 5842
