MEMORANDUM TO THE MINISTER OF POLICE NKOSINATHI NHLEKO PERTAINING TO THE SPATE OF BRUTAL POLICE KILLINGS 20.11.2015 1
MEMORANDUM TO THE MINISTER OF POLICE NKOSINATHI NHLEKO PERTAINING TO THE SPATE OF BRUTAL POLICE KILLINGS SUBMITTED ON 20 NOVEMBER 2015 1. PREAMBLE POPCRU and its members employed in the South African Police Services, Department of Correctional Services and Traffic recognise the civil and basic human rights of all people in South Africa including the leadership and its membership. We recognise further that such basic human rights are fundamental rights worthy of enhancement and protection, and we are as such committed to the creation and development of a security establishment, which is the just expression of the will of the people. A system, which will reflect co-operation between our members and the community in an effort to truly serve and protect all members of our society in line with our Constitution. 2. DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND SECURITY We recognise and appreciate the fact that the department of Safety and Security is the key strategic state component where government needs to ensure safety and security of all South Africans. We note with grief the continuous spate of perpetuated violence and the brutal nature of killing Police members by criminals. It has become an abnormal manifestation that a day does not go-by without a police officer been maimed and killed. 2
It is sensibly clear out of this senseless and terrific act of manslaughter targeted against the police officers that the country is experiencing a protracted war ahead. This disastrous tendency and came to a conclusion that this is a well-orchestrated agenda evidently designed to instil fear and intimidation to those entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of all South Africans and consequently create instability within the country. We are however, perturbed by the fact that instead of urgently attending to this catastrophe, the Minister and his Acting Commissioner are busy ballooning the organisational structure, which is merely going to result in unnecessary use of tax payers money. It is a well-known fact that the organisational structure is riddled with contradictory sub-structures that have created amongst others: Duplication of functions on top; and Paralysis of efficient policing operation at grass root level. Drafting of policing methodology can no longer be a sacred domain of top management better part of which constitutes anti labour, undemocratic and anti-transformative agendas. There is no need at all to bring people from abroad [as attempts are already underway in this regard] to do something for us which we have the capacity to do on our own with perfection. The lack of coherent, integrated and collaborative Criminal Justice System also contributes to the current state of affairs. In just less than twelve [12] months and in 2015 alone, there are over seventy three [73] police officers killed in the country and these includes those Police Officers who have been wounded in the line of duty while acting out their tasks of ensuring South African communities are protected from criminals. 3
This makes up a total of at least six [06] Police Officers killed per day and we characterise it as war that has been declared by heartless underworld operatives to create chaotic environment for the community at large to endure vulnerability and defencelessness, thus triggering insurgence. We are seriously troubled by the quietness of the Minister on this terrifying matter which worries, not only the South African citizenry, but the world at large. The Minister and his cohorts seem to continue with business as usual and show no sign of concern to those who protects him and the entire society. The killing of police cannot be just an ordinary incidents which authorities seem to care-less about. We are saying to the Minister: The time has come and the time is now to stand up to defend ourselves and protect the communities who rely on us as Police members for their safety. The time is now for all Police officers to defend the artillery they carry to defend themselves, the broader community and their property. Police officers must effectively defend themselves against any form of violent attack by criminals. It is our stance that we condemn any form of brutality, be it brutality against the society or against the police. Within this understanding, the act of police officers defence against the continued onslaught directed to them should never be construed to be police brutality. Whilst the Minister and his Acting Commissioner hides behind the bush during this petrifying moment, police officers must never surrender to the criminals, instead they should reinforce and take them head-on with everything at their disposal. Police Officials must at all times stay vigilant and claim back their authority over criminality and law-breaking tendencies. 4
We shall not sit back and watch our streets hijacked by criminals. We say: Police officers must ensure that they recess for the purpose of mourning each day a police officer gets killed. We note that crime levels have and continue to escalate daily which is a clear indicator that the Security of the country is under siege. A killing of one Police Officer is one too many. Even on this one, the Minister is still silent in action; we see no plan from him at all to attend to this unbearable and unbecoming catastrophe. We are and have declared War on criminals and we shall have no mercy on criminality. The safety and security of police officers is our serious concern and can no longer be delayed. Within this contextual elucidation, we demand the following: a. Proper cooperation between the police and members of the society in exposing all forms of crime and covert operations. b. Government to design the Bill Boards that should be installed within and around communities highlighting the importance of working together with the police and condemning the senseless killing of police officers. c. The government to immediately review the gun laws currently applicable in the country where some sections of the society create arsenals at home. d. Consideration through legislation for the mandatory sentencing for those found guilty of killing police officers. e. Instead of wasting tax payers money to create Job For Palls through the bloating of the SUPERFLUOUS Top-Heavy structure, more police officers must be recruited immediately to capacitate all police stations around the country. 5
f. Call on the State President to immediately enact the long awaited Private Security Industry Regulation Amendment Bill which is aimed at providing for the authority to promote crime prevention partnerships with other organs of state. g. The amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act, SAPS Act, Fire-arm Control Act to enable Police officers to defend themselves with fire when under fire. Police killings should be considered as treason as they are an attack on the state. h. Safer working conditions [Improved bullet-proof vests, cars] and all Police Killings cases to be prioritised. i. Set up a Special unit to investigate progress reports on all cases of the killed Police Officers while within the scope of employment. j. Creation of one National Police under one National Commissioner. k. Maximisation of Safety tools for Police to conduct their work. l. Ongoing campaign for people to hand over illegal firearms. m. Strict Police visibility in all Metros [similar to the 2010 World Cup model]. n. Urgent Introduction of armoured Police vehicles to protect Police officers when confronted with criminal elements. o. Urgent Improvement of Employee Assistance Programmes. p. Guaranteed safety of members transport to and from work. q. Police officers to be armed at all times. 6
In view of the above exposition pertaining to the slaughtering of police officers, we demand the Minister to immediately attend to this matter and respond within fourteen days [14] days effective from today, Friday 20 November 2015. On behalf of POPCRU On behalf of the Minister of Police NKOSINATHI THELEDI General Secretary SURNAME & INITIALS Date: SIGNATURE Date: 7