If Khomotso Phahlane can do it‚ his "charges" should be encouraged that they can "take a stand against criminals” too. That’s the lesson the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) on Monday put forward after reports that the acting national police commissioner got into a scuffle at a spa and thwarted an armed robbery.While wishing General Phahlane a speedy recovery “from the minor injuries that he reportedly sustained during the altercation”‚ Sanco’s Jabu Mahlangu said: “The criminals must get the message that our police officials are not pushovers but crime-fighters who will not relent in the face of adversity but fight tooth and nail for survival and protection of the most vulnerable in our communities." “The courageous actions of the Acting National Commissioner should encourage his charges to take a stand against criminals and stamp their authority.”Police spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi on Sunday said Phahlane was waiting for his wife to finish her treatment at the Ayothaya Thai spa in Dunkeld when two armed men wearing balaclavas burst into the premises."When the men entered the commissioner jumped up and got into a scuffle with them and managed to ward them off."As they were running‚ they shot one round and were then seen getting into a grey Golf‚" Mulaudzi said.Sanco’s Mahlangu said he hoped “that no stone will be left unturned until those who were involved are behind bars” ‚ adding that "none of our citizens deserve to live in fear of marauding gun robbers who threaten people's lives with impunity”. ..