'Critics put police lives in danger'

Police Commissioner Riyah Phiyega has lashed out at critics of the police, hinting that they were putting the men and women in blue in greater danger.

Speaking at a memorial service for three Western Cape policemen who were gunned down last week, Phiyega said: "I do not think we are a nation that can continue to make reckless messages ."

Seven officers were killed in Cape Town last month. Between January and June, 36 police officers have been killed across the country.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has been engaged in a war of words with Dan Plato, the Western Cape's MEC for community safety .

Phiyega comforted mourners with songs and poems before launching her own attack.

"I am, actually, appealing today that perhaps it is about time that we introspect and think deeply about what we say about the police because they cannot be positioned as enemies of the people."

Constable Lungisa Depha was shot and killed while attending to an accident last Sunday.

A few kilometres away, on the same night, Sergeant Landile Yengo was gunned down in front of his daughter as he left for work in Khayelitsha. Sergeant Bafundi Mdlalo was shot dead in his home in Mitchells Plain the next day.

His death came just a few hours after a memorial service for Constable Dumile Thethani, a member of the flying squad, who was killed in the township of Nyanga two weeks ago.

Phiyega said she was shocked when her Zimbabwean counterpart told her that, at most, four policemen are killed in that country each year.

In South Africa, more than 80 police officers are killed every year .

Asked how she planned to reduce the number of police deaths, Phiyega said: "Police are well-trained and there are clear protocols about how they go about their work. We are equipping them with bullet-proof vests, guns and radios."