KZN POPCRU DEFEND PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER

KZN POLICE COMMISIONER, LT. GENERAL NHLANHLA MKHWANAZI

By Ml. Luqman Skink, INX Prime News and Current Affairs Editor | Date: 12 September 2024

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) in Kwa Zulu Natal have commended SAPS for their courage and bravery in carrying out their duties. Police in the province have been dealing with brazen and violent criminals from extortion and robbery syndicates who often get involved in gunfights with the SAPS.

In the latest incident, three police officers have been wounded and three suspects killed in three separate shootouts in KwaZulu-Natal. Since April this year, more than 40 suspected criminals were shot and killed in the province, with some concern raised by rights groups and others in academia.

'The Fight Against Violent Crime Must Be Fought With Fire'

POPCRU KZN Provincial Secretary, Nthabeleng Molefe, has congratulated KZN Police Commissioner, Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for keeping the streets of the province free of crime. She said there is a great concern that criminals are trying to render the province ungovernable and urged the SAPS to save the country from becoming a Banana Republic.

'Crime Intelligence is the Difference'

When asked what was the reason behind the apparently violent KZN brand of criminality, she said while it is not true that KZN is the only province facing violent criminality according to the latest crime statistics - every province is not immune, outstanding crime intelligence is the difference.

She lauded the meticulous work by crime intelligence detective work by the SAPS in KZN that is getting results. She added that when faced with criminals who shoot at police, it is the duty of officers to defend themselves and apprehend the criminals.

'Hands Off KZN Police Commissioner, Lt. Gen Mkhwanazi'

The Police Union released a statement in support of the provincial commissioner whom they felt was being unfairly targeted. Molefe pointed out that the loudest human rights activists who accuse the police of brutality when criminals are shot, are silent when the men and women in blue are killed in the line of duty.

She explained that the high level of crime in the province will scare investors away and this will have a detrimental impact on residents and citizens. She expressed her confidence that the reduction of crime will be the end result of these incidents which she believed will serve as a deterrent to would-be criminals. On the contrary, if criminals know they will not face fire, she said they would flock into the province and render it ungovernable. They must understand and know that any criminal activity will be met by the long arm of the law. This she said is critical in making sure that ordinary citizens are protected.

Treason for Cop-Killers

The police union has urged the government to declare cop-killing as treason. Molefe explained that there is an urgent need to amend the constitution to be more protective of the victims of crime than it currently is.

She referred to the Criminal Procedure Act of 1977, which she argued gave the upper hand to those who transgress the law. "They must not get bail and they must never see the sun again. The gravity of the crime must be so severe, that criminals will think twice about attacking an officer."

Death Penalty

When questioned by viewers whether the current Government of National Unity will review the country's laws around capital punishment and whether the Police Union would support a return of the death penalty, Molefe said it needed more discussions but for now, life sentences should be meted out to cop killers.