Top brass meet to stem cop slayings

14 December 2016 - 09:32 By Aphiwe Deklerk
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HEATWAVE BLUES: Some police officers succumbed to the heat during the handing over of the Sword of Command and long service awards ceremony in Parow yesterday.
HEATWAVE BLUES: Some police officers succumbed to the heat during the handing over of the Sword of Command and long service awards ceremony in Parow yesterday.
Image: ESA ALEXANDER

Acting National Police Commissioner General Khomotso Phahlane will meet provincial SAPS leaders in an effort to curb a recent spate of police killings in the Western Cape.

The province is one of the worst affected by police killings in the country. Five members of the service have been killed and had their firearms stolen since November.

Phahlane said yesterday: "I have sharply raised this issue with the leadership in the province and we will be convening to look at measures that are in place to curb the killings."

The acting commissioner wants to see swift action and the murderers being arrested.

"We run a risk of losing the confidence of members if they know that they are going into a slaughterhouse.

"It is therefore important for us to work hard and curb the attacks on the police," said Phahlane.

He said a plan was in place to tackle the problem, but he would not reveal the details.

"In all these instances, whether they were on duty or off duty, firearms were taken from them. We as a society in general must be very, very concerned.

"As the SAPS we consider attacks on, and the killing of, police officers as an attack on the authority of the state itself," he added.

His remarks came after the killing of Constable Mziwonke Sewisa and Sergeant Sibande Klaas over the weekend.

Another police officer is recovering in hospital after being ambushed while on patrol in Gugulethu on Monday.

Three officers were killed last month.

Western Cape community safety MEC Dan Plato offered his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the slain officers yesterday.

He offered a R100,000 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to arrests.

In June, The Times reported that a policeman or policewoman is killed every four days in South Africa.

Statistics show that 712 SAPS officers have been attacked this year - 81% of them while they were on duty. - TMG Digital, Sunday Times

 

Jula gets SAPS acclaim

Acting National Police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane has heaped praised on Western Cape police boss Lieutenant-General Khombinkosi Jula, calling him a "truly great leader".

"We've heard nothing but great things about his ability.

"As the leadership of the SAPS we have no doubt he will continue where his predecessors left off and bring great ideas and enthusiasm to the Western Cape," he said.

He was speaking at the handing over of the Sword of Command and long service awards ceremony in Parow yesterday.

Fifty-two officers were awarded medals for the long service.

Five of them were honoured for serving the SAPS for 40 years and 24 were recognised for 30 years in service.

Phahlane even praised Jula for his handling of protests around parliament, including the #FeesMustFall demonstrations, this year.

Hundreds of police officers attended the event on the Jan Burger Sports Complex grounds.

A number of police officers succumbed to the heat and medical staff rushed to treat them. - Aphiwe Deklerk

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