Cele: No reason for armed officers to die

Cele spoke during the passing out parade of more than a thousand trainee officers in Tshwane on Friday.

“Today we say that no one of you should die with those guns in your hands. Today I am telling you, this is a war that you must fight and you must win it. We’re tired of seeing young police officers dying in the hands of criminals.” Cele said.

Cele also stated that police are equipped with the necessary skills to protect themselves.

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“I know that each of these police officers have successfully learned how to use firearms. Earlier this year I instructed that they must each receive intermediate and advanced street survival and technical response training. This means that each one of these members is trained to protect themselves as good as the high technical units. 

Over 3500 new officers graduated from the acadamy and will be deployed to various police stations across the country.

Meanwhile, emotions ran high at the parade as family members watched the graduating students.

Graduates showed off newly acquired skills during the parade.