Cele: 109 cops killed over past eleven months
Police Minister Bheki Cele has defended the conduct of the country’s cops amid questions about the number of suspects killed in shootouts.
The topic was thrust back into the spotlight when nine suspects were killed in a gun battle with the police in Mariannhill, west of Durban.
In Mpumalanga, six suspected were shot and killed in gun battles with police over the past few days.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate said it had noted the public’s concerns over the increasing number of criminal suspects killed during shootouts with the police and would be probing the incidents.
On Sunday, Cele revealed that 109 officers lost their lives at the hands of criminals during the past 11 months.
Thirty-six of these were killed while on duty.
“Through investigative work conducted by the DPCI (Hawks), 83 suspects have been arrested in connection with the police killings,” Cele said.
“The death of any individual in the country, criminal or not, should never be a cause of celebration. But some in society are doing so, following the takedown of the armed gangs in KZN and Mpumalanga this week.
“It speaks volumes.”
Cele said no police officer should die at the hands of a criminal while in possession of a firearm.
“Our message is clear: No police officer should die with a gun in their hand. We call on the police to remain vigilant, protect communities and protect themselves at all times, act tough on crime.”
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