KZN Police Vow To Be Aggressive Against Criminals As Violent Crime Surges: “We Cannot Negotiate”
- The police in KwaZulu-Natal have declared taking a strong combative approach against a high crime rate
- Provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi emphasised that police would not negotiate with thugs
- At least 17 suspected criminals have been killed in shootouts with KZN police in less than two weeks
- Locals online praised the efforts by Mkhwanazi to combat rampant crime and called for the same elsewhere
Source: UGC
"We cannot fight criminals by negotiating with them."
DURBAN — These words affirmed the decisive stand KwaZulu-Natal police vowed to take against the soaring crime in the province.
Police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made the point during a Provincial Government Social Crime Prevention Summit on Friday.
KZN police vow to be aggressive
Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli led the event at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban, which aimed to address surging crime.
PAY ATTENTION: Briefly News is now on YouTube! Check out our interviews on Briefly TV Life now!
Mkhwanazi emphasised taking a tough stand against criminals to restore community hope and trust.
"We cannot find [ourselves] negotiating with these criminals. We have to be aggressive, both when we arrest them — we've been successful — and when they're incarcerated," said Mkhwanazi.
The summit discussed strategies to combat crime effectively.
It brought to the fore police action that led to the deaths of suspected criminals during the summit period, highlighting the aggressive approach.
However, Mkhwanazi lamented how easy suspects and convicted criminals seemed to have it behind bars.
"Harsh penalties must come from the courts, and [the criminals] must be sent away for long. The unfortunate part is — I'm sure all of you watch TV — we take them off the streets, [and] they live a soft life in prison. We have a problem in society, and we have to do something about it," he added.
His remarks came at the same time as police chased down three suspected hijackers, shooting and killing them in a hail of bullets in Umlazi's T-section.
The shootout marked the 17th killing of suspected criminals by KZN police in less than two weeks.
SA supports stern stance
This sparked a debate online, with some praising the police's actions and others expressing concern about the rate of killings and their impact on investigations.
Briefly News looks at the reactions to the Social Crime Prevention Summit.
@nkulipp wrote:
"There's no time to negotiate with criminals indeed. Kill them, general."
@thandomasanabo said:
"The only person who understands the mandate."
@nkulipp mentioned:
"I love his attitude. They must never negotiate with criminals. Kill them all."
@SKmtshali reacted:
"Why can't all the provinces be the same?"
Police nab 3 for teen ex-girlfriend's murder
In related news, Briefly News reported that Eastern Cape police arrested a 34-year-old man and two others for alleged abduction and murder and recovered the body of a fourth suspect in Makhanda.
Authorities launched an investigation following the murder of a teenager, Kungawo Nyweba, who went missing on Friday, 5 July.
PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU - click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!
Source: Briefly News
