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MEC condemns the killing of policemen

Date: 10 October 2003 By: Godfrey Mandiwana

THOHOYANDOU - Safety and Security MEC in the Limpopo Province, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi, condemned the killing of SAPS members in the Limpopo and called on the people to treat policemen as human beings.

Magadzi called for unity between the police and members of the community, in the one-day summit on the killings of SAPS members, which was held in Thohoyandou Parliamentary Chambers last Friday.

She lashed out at those who, according to her, take advantage of section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act, with regard to the use of minimal force. The MEC also took the opportunity to remember those members of the SAPS who had been killed both on and off duty.

"There are many theories surrounding the killings of our members, with some saying they are being killed because they are corrupt, while others say they have been killed because they were at a tavern, and others would say it is because they are lazy."

She also appealed to members of the community to take part in community policing forum structures so that they can help the police in the fight against crime.

"Taking part in these structures would help you to understand even the high levels of stress our members experience in the line of their duties, and coupled with other problems, such as domestic violence and finances, our members remain vulnerable," Magadzi said.

The MEC also praised the work done by religious leaders from different denominations who are attached to the support services of the police force. "We really are grateful for the work done by these priests, because they are helping our members to cope with high levels of stress. That in itself is not enough, however; they need the understanding of members of the community," she said.

Although no specific resolutions were taken at this summit, the issue of Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act, with regard to the use of minimal force, remains a problem, as members of the police strongly believe that this section strips them of the power to protect themselves.

The men in blue, speaker after speaker, expressed their dissatisfaction with this piece of legislation, saying that in the event where the police shoot and kill someone while defending themselves, they are often submitted to disciplinary actions and court battles, and by the time they are acquitted, they have already lost everything including their houses, cars and insurance policies.

The police have also demanded at this summit that the killing of police personnel should be described as acts of terror against the state and that those found guilty of killing policemen should be given long prison terms.

The summit was told that 27 policemen had been killed in the Limpopo Province from last year until this August, and most of the policemen were killed because the criminals were after their service pistols.

 
 
 

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Godfrey Mandiwana

 
 

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