Pretoria - The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has condemned the continued killings of law enforcement officers and called on communities to assist in ensuring the speedy arrest of the perpetrators.
The corporation on Thursday said seven officers, including members of the South Africa Police Service (SAPS) and traffic officers, have been killed this week.
RTMC Chief Executive Officer, Advocate Makhosini Msibi, said the unwarranted attacks against law enforcement officers were totally unacceptable.
“We call on members of the public to work with police to bring an end to these killings. Law enforcement officers have committed to serve and protect society. It is therefore the responsibility of all citizens to defend them when they come under attack for doing their work,” said Msibi.
He warned that criminals will not succeed in attempts to create lawlessness in society.
“These attacks are intended to intimidate and discourage our members from ensuring that the rule of law prevails on the roads, malls and everywhere in society.
“We stand firmly behind our officers in efforts to create a society that is safe and where there’s respect for the law” he said.
Msibi also welcomed the arrest of a driver who crammed 50 school children in a 15 seater minibus taxi in the Eastern Cape.
“This is an act of selfishness and utter contempt for the rules of the road. This is the kind of attitude and behaviour that perpetuates carnages on our roads.
“We wish that the court should hand him the harshest sentence possible to send a clear message that the flagrant disregard for the law will not be tolerated,” he said.
He commended the police officer who stopped the vehicle and arrested the driver on the spot for driving recklessly, with children inside the vehicle.
“Our law enforcement services need more people like Lieutenant Loaan Steenkamp who enforce the law without fear or favour. His act prevented a potential disaster on the road. We commend him heartily,” said Msibi.-SAnews.gov.za
