Police chiefs warn cop killers

11 July 2011 - 01:50 By CANAAN MDLETSHE
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Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa. File photo. Picture: DANIEL BORN
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa. File photo. Picture: DANIEL BORN

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and national police commissioner Bheki Cele have repeated that the police would deal harshly with criminals.

Mthethwa and Cele were speaking in uMzinto, on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, at a crime-awareness imbizo.

They were also in the area to thank successful officers, including those involved in the prosecution of convicted sugar cane serial killer and rapist, Thozamile Taki, who operated in the area.

"The police's job is not to kill but to arrest criminals," said Mthethwa.

"If criminals think they are James Bond, they must expect police to respond in the same fashion. Police will be tough on crime and on those . out to kill them."

He said the war on crime could not be fought and won by the police alone. He called on the public, religious groups and the private sector to play a part.

Cele said that if the criminals "spoke softly" the police would respond softly. "But if they speak rough, they must expect police to respond in the same token."

The police did not enjoy killing suspects, he said.

"Some police have to be counselled after shoot-outs because they are humans and they view criminals as humans."

Gender Commission head Mfanuzelwe Shozi asked Mthethwa and Cele to investigate an "increasing" number of hate crimes against lesbians.

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