The ANC in the Eastern Cape is shocked by the brutal killing of five (5) policemen at Engcobo Police Station in the early hours of this morning.
We send our condolences to the families of our police officers in this difficult time, most of whom were breadwinners.
This continued spate of police killings simply means that it is no longer a matter for the Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula and Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole but a huge societal challenge.
We condemn the continued killing of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) – men and women in uniform who daily risk their lives to ensure the safety of all South African citizens
Minister of Police, Comrade Fikile Mbalula must urgently send relevant police units to search and arrest the thugs behind this crime.
The high level team that the Police Minister must sent must include crime intelligence so that they find these thugs and the recover the ammunition reported to have been stolen from the police station.
Countless dedicated officers have lost their lives at the mercy of criminals wielding illegal firearms.
They have taken it upon themselves to butcher the very people who are protecting our communities, and therefore attempting to render our communities as criminal blisses.
Communities in and around Ngcobo must report any suspicious characters or information that they might have which could lead to arrests of these thugs to the police.
The proliferation of firearms and the use of illegal firearms in the attacks of police officers is an issue of high concern to all of us
We also call upon the Police management across the country to ensure that our police officers are properly armed and well-resourced to defend themselves and innocent citizens. We shall not sit back and watch our country being hijacked by these criminal elements who continue to turn our children into orphans.
Policemen remain committed to living up to the vision of the Police service in creating a safer and secure society, and in this regard we call on our government to implement stricter gun laws and harsher punishments to non-abiding citizens.
We also call for stiffer sentences to be imposed against those who kill police officers by magistrates and judges, who are important components of the country’s criminal justice system.
We firmly believe that a societal collaboration coupled with stiffer sentences, will go a long way to deter criminals from continuing with the killing of those entrusted with the task of taking care of our safety.
ANC wishes speedy recovery to all those injured.
Issued by:
ANC EC Communications
Enquiries:
ANC EC Media & Liaison Officer
Judy Mpetsheni
Mobile No: 0636878267/0731176194
Email:judy.ngoloyi@gmail.com
ANC EC Communications Manager
Gift Ngqondi
0848439706/0849519924
