On Monday morning, it was reported that members of the Gauteng law enforcement division fondly known as “AmaPanyaza” were attacked by armed assailants in Daveyton, east of Johannesburg, while on routine patrol.
South Africa is fast becoming a war zone. Its streets overflow with high-calibre unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Week in and week out we read about violent armed crimes being committed across Gauteng and the country.
If crime is so rife that even our law enforcement is brazenly attacked by murderous thugs with high-calibre weapons, how safe are we who live here without guns, bulletproof vests or police to protect us?
Who is supplying weapons? Where are the criminals stocking up on ammunition? Every bust law enforcement agencies make, there are always firearms and loads of ammunition. Someone somewhere is enabling these criminals and they are making a killing from the slaughter of citizens and officers, pun intended.
Thankfully no lives were taken, but some members sustained critical injuries. We keep them and their families in our thoughts and prayers. Though thoughts and prayers might inspire divine intervention, still someone has to pick up the shovel and dig.
An act of violence against an officer of the law carrying out their duties to uphold the law of the land should be characterised as treason, over and above murder or attempted murder. The state has a function to serve its people and part of that function is upholding the rule of law. When criminals wage war on the very arm of government representing the law, they are taking up arms against the state.
The chilling question for Gauteng residents is: if crime is so rife that even our law enforcement is brazenly attacked by murderous thugs with high-calibre weapons, how safe are we who live here without guns, bulletproof vests or police to protect us? Who will fight for us?
As for the heartless gunmen involved in the Daveyton attack, may the long arm of the law locate them and fast. We can only hope there is appetite for the police to find these dangerous criminals and get them off our streets as soon as possible.
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