Pretoria - National Police Commissioner, General Riah Phiyega, has spoken out on the escalating attacks on police officials, as well as incidents in which police officers are killed.
"The loss of a police officer is not only a loss to the SAPS [South African Police Service] and the family, but the community as well,” Phiyega said on Tuesday.
This follows the death of four police officials over the weekend in Durban, Katlehong, Soweto and Mthatha.
On Saturday night, Constable Zethu Cele, 29, and a colleague from Wills Road Police Station were shot while responding to a robbery at Bentley Road in Durban. Cele died on the scene and her colleague is recuperating at a local hospital.
On Saturday night, Constable Rydan Malungana was also fatally shot when he and his crew stopped to search a suspected stolen vehicle on Venus Street in Katlehong. He died on the scene.
On Sunday, Constable Doris Mudau from the Soweto Flying Squad was fatally shot in the Protea Glen area of Soweto. One man has been arrested and a firearm was recovered.
Also during this past weekend, Constable Mandla Dlakavu, 37, from the Mthatha Stock Theft Unit was found dead next to his house in Zimbane village near Mthatha. It is suspected that he may have been strangled.
In the latest incident, Constable Bashe, 29, from the Mounted Police Unit in Mthatha was fatally shot and his firearm was taken. A taxi driver has since been arrested and a firearm has been recovered.
Phiyega appealed to anyone with information on these attacks to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Callers may remain anonymous and all information will be treated as strictly confidential.
She announced that multidisciplinary task teams have been set up to investigate the deaths and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
The SAPS is also improving the safety of police officials by regularly communicating safety precautions, tips and hints to all levels of command in the service.
These include conducting docket analyses to identify trends, tendencies and modus operandi, and giving the police tactical refresher training and workshops. - SAnews.gov.za
