No mercy for cash-in-transit robbers, warns Cele
Police Minister Bheki Cele has urged police to not hesitate to use force when dealing with cash-in-transit robbers.
Cele believes the equivalent use of force will prevent officers from dying in the line of duty.
Cele was speaking at the launch of the provincial safer festive season operations in Joubert Park on Friday.
He was joined by Gauteng Police Commissioner Elias Mawela, who said police will be visible throughout the province during the festive season.
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Mawela warned that all Gauteng law enforcement agencies, including the Johannesburg and Tshwane metro police as well as the Department of Home Affairs, would be working together to rid the streets of crime.
Cele told police officers that they are "not allowed to die with gun in your hand".
He admitted while there is protocol to be followed when dealing with labour activities and protests, police need to be more firm when dealing with criminals.
"Anybody and everybody who prepares for a cash heist is that whoever is in his way must be eliminated.
"That's why when they go for cash heists they don't carry brooms sticks. They don't carry feather dusters and that's we don't give you broomsticks, we give you real stuff and that real stuff - when needs be - must be used and decisevely so,” Cele warned.