THE Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) said the continuous killing of cops remains one of the most disturbing crimes in Mzansi and is an attack on the authority of the state as it undermines the rule of law.
This was said by the union’s spokesman, Richard Mamabolo in a year-end statement on Thursday, 7 December. Mamabolo said cops have become targeted victims of the worst crime, with attacks and killings escalating in the country.
“This unfolding national crisis has the potential of threatening the country’s peace and stability as the majority of these dedicated men and women are killed on duty while preventing, combating or solving a crime while some are attacked or ambushed when conducting patrols and their official firearms and uniforms get stolen with the probable intention of committing further crimes,” said Mamabolo.
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“We regard the killing of our members as an attack on the authority of the state as this undermines the rule of law. It therefore cannot be acceptable that police officers who, each day, go out there to protect and to serve are killed and the government remains unshaken."
Mamabolo said that government must publicly declare war against cold-blooded criminals who commit this deadly crime, and the current legislation must be amended to classify this barbaric act as treason.
“A mandatory life sentence for those found guilty must be effected as a matter of urgency to effectively prevent this plague,” he said.
As the country observes 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, Mamabolo sent a message of condolences to the victims of gender-based violence throughout the country.
He praised the men and women in blue who go beyond the call of duty to protect women, children and other vulnerable people.
“Our men and women in blue continue to improve their skills in handling such matters and we, as a union, will remain on the campaign trail in confronting this social ill that has ravaged our communities,” he said.
