Mashatile laments ‘brazen’ attitude of criminals when confronted by cops

Mashatile delivered the keynote address at the South African Police Service Commemoration Day in honour of the men and women in blue who were killed in the line of duty. 

Thirty-nine police officers lost their lives between April 2023 and March 2024.

Mashatile’s remarks came amid concern at the number of suspects who have been shot and killed by police officers, especially in KZN. 

At least 31 suspects were killed in shootouts with KwaZulu-Natal police between April and July. 

"Police officers must not die with their service firearms on their holsters when criminals refuse to surrender and start firing at the police,” Mashatile said. 

“When a shootout ensues between police and criminals, police have a duty to protect their lives as well as those of their colleagues and their community members.” 

Mashatile said the number of deaths is a stark reminder of the difficult task facing police.

"This ceremony is a painful reminder not only to families who lost their loved ones but also to all South Africans that our police are under attack while serving the country. Criminals have become brazen in their desperate attempts to achieve their criminal intents.

"To all serving police officers, please do not give up the battle against crime and relentlessly strive to bring those responsible for any police officer's death to justice. 

"The Hawks’ work is ongoing to bring justice to families who lost their loved ones in the fight against crime, and we are hoping that they will receive harsh sentences because killing a police officer is tantamount to treason.” 

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