Use the guns on your hips - Popcru

Popcru deputy president Nkosinathi Mabhida encouraged police to use the guns on their hips when faced with criminals.

Mabhida told the crowd of police during a march to the premier's office on Wednesday morning that they needed to arm themselves to avoid being killed. He encouraged the use of guns by police, saying he would rather have them arrested than six feet underground.

“Enough is enough, this should stop. Comrades these guns on your hips should be used. These guns are not toys, use them. We have taken a resolution which says that you can’t die with a firearm on your holster. Rather sleep in the cell than six feet underground. Once you understand how it feels like to be fired [at] eight times and how it feels to be missed by the bullets, you will understand why those police officers in Krugersdorp reacted that way,” Mabhida said.

Mabhida said in October more than 16 police officers were killed. He said police had taken a decision that from Friday if an officer is killed on duty, police across the country will not work for that day.

“The people who are getting killed are not officers with higher ranks, the management say we must pray, we don’t want to pray, we will respond accordingly. You kill one criminal, the country is up in arms against you,” said Mabhida.

Hundreds of police officers wore red Popcru T-shirts. The crowd marched from Mary Fitzgerald Square to the Justice Minister's office and the premier's office in a bid to make people more aware of police killings.

Along the way, MEC of Community Safety Sizakele Malobane-Nkosi joined the march holding a placard which read “We support the Krugersdorp 4”.

The march was a build-up to Popcru’s national march on Friday to the Union Buildings. More than 10 000 law enforcement officers are expected to participate in the march.

Mabhida said Wednesday's march was a warning shot and on Friday they would fire their second shot at the Union Buildings.

Source News 24