South Africa

South Africa

Police killings: Zuma tells cops to fight back

Police killings: Zuma tells cops to fight back

Speaking at the South African Police Service National Commemoration Day at the Union Buildings on Sunday, President Jacob Zuma acknowledged South Africa's violent reality and urged police officers to fight back. With 58 police officers already killed in 2015, however, it will require an overhaul of the system to keep officers safe. By GREG NICOLSON.

Addressing South African Police Service (SAPS) members and the families of those killed this year, President Jacob Zuma honoured the fallen police officers as defenders of the state’s security. “We salute all our fallen police officers. We appreciate their commitment to the wellbeing and safety of the people of this country,” he said. “We salute you as their families. Your loved ones have paid a supreme price for peace and stability. Their contribution to building a safer South Africa will always be remembered by all your compatriots.”

Fifty-eight officers have been killed this year, 27 who were on duty and 31 who were off duty. The figures are rising, with 63 SAPS members killed between April 2014 and March 2015. During his speech a the SAPS National Commemoration Day on Sunday, Zuma followed the trend of politicians urging police officers to fight fire with fire, but he also explained how he plans to address the scourge.

The president said the country’s violent history of apartheid and colonialism has “created a fertile ground for violent crime and a disregard for human life by some criminal elements in our society”. Criminals aren’t afraid to take lives and we have to “confront the hard reality that crime in South Africa is violent”, he continued.

“We urge you to defend yourselves with everything at your disposal if you are attacked, within the confines of the law. Our laws allow the police to fight back decisively when their lives or those of the public are threatened. Criminals must know that our police officers are not sitting ducks. They will fight back when their lives or those of the public are in danger,” said Zuma. While urging police to violently engage dangerous criminals continues is common, it has been criticised for promoting excessive force by SAPS members.

Zuma was quick to caution: “At the same time, the police must act within the law at all times and avoid using excessive force. The minister of police is working on a major transformation plan for the police following the tragic and painful Marikana incident, which will take all these challenges into account.”

Speaking in Katlehong recently, Zuma questioned whether police were too “soft” or “democratic” when dealing with violent criminals. The idea seems to stem from incidents such as Marikana, the death of Andries Tatane and others, where cops have been criticised, although rarely held accountable, for brutality. “If the police acted harshly against criminals, they are heavily criticised, with some quarters saying they reminded South Africa of the past. Therefore, the police are expected not to be harsh and to know what to do when faced with danger, while also being expected to protect South Africa’s citizens,” the president said in Katlehong.

It seems Zuma still believes the ludicrous idea that police officers are dying because they’re too scared to shoot back (although a quick look at the multiple shoot-outs reported last week suggests they’re more than willing to engage). He’s also unable to acknowledge the recent increase in violent crime under his administration.

The president offered some solutions to curb police killings. A national tactical response plan is to be immediately implemented to address the murders of police officers. There will be on-site investigations assessing the circumstances of all officers who have been killed. Station and relief commanders will ensure directives and standing orders regarding safety are implemented. Inspections will take place to ensure officers have the right safety gear and they will be briefed on all possible dangerous suspects and potential situations when reporting for duty.

While speaking in Katlehong last month, Zuma also raised the question of whether the country’s gun laws should be amended to reduce the number of firearms available for potential crime.

On Sunday, he said a police safety strategy will focus on improved training, physical security, trauma management, safety assessments, and research. Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko last week explained plans to overhaul the SAPS in the wake of the Marikana commission of inquiry’s report. He noted plans on the organisational culture, operating principles, equipment, policing protests, training, and demilitarisation.

While some of the measures Zuma announced on Sunday could have a positive impact, a reduction in police killings will likely rely on the SAPS’s ability to prevent and combat violent crime. “The SAPS leadership need to be honest with themselves. This is not a new problem. The failure to bring down the murders of police service is by and large due to a lack of political and operational will,” the Democratic Alliance’s Zakhele Mbhele said in a statement last month. Gareth Newham from the Institute of Security Studies has said the rise in police killings appears to be related to the rise in armed robberies.

Unless there’s a drastic turnaround, the situation is unlikely to become much safer for police officers in the immediate future. For the children of the murdered officers, Zuma noted that since 2013 the SAPS Education Trust Fund has spent almost R900,000 on 33 beneficiaries to ensure they can go to university or training colleges. DM

Photo: Police officers advance to enter mens hostels after xenophobic violence in the area overnight forced foreign shop owners to close their shops for fear of attack in Actonville, Johannesburg, South Africa, 16 April 2015. EPA/KIM LUDBROOK.

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