General Fannie Masemola Urges Officers to Defend Themselves, SA Wonders What Police Minister Thinks
- National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has urged police to defend themselves from violent criminals
- Masemola made the comments after two detectives were shot dead by an awaiting trial prisoner in Roodepoort
- South Africans questioned whether Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia, would agree with the statement
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG - General Fannie Masemola urged police officers to defend themselves if their lives are under threat, but South Africans are wondering what the new Police Commissioner thinks about the statement.
Masemola made the comments following the death of two detectives from the Florida South African Police Service (SAPS). Warrant Officer Vuyisile Sintwa and Sergeant Simon Masenye were shot dead while transporting an awaiting trial prisoner, Jabulani Moyo, on 8 August. Moyo has been on the run since.
What did General Masemola say?
Following a visit to the families of the officers killed in the line of duty, the National Police Commissioner urged police to protect themselves. He said that SAPS could not remain silent when criminals had declared war on officers.
PAY ATTENTION: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
“I am making this call again to all police officers in the country, do not die with the tools and resources that we have given you. Do not hesitate to protect yourself. Remember to always use force that is proportional to the threat,” he said.
What are the Police Minister’s thoughts?
Masemola’s comments had many people wondering what new Police Minister Firoz Cachalia would think. Cachalia, who took over the role from Senzo Mchunu, said law enforcement officers could not fight crime with unbridled violence. KwaZulu-Natal police in particular have developed a no-nonsense approach to tackling crime, with Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi spearheading the tough stance.
After he was sworn in at the Union Buildings, Cachalia said officers must protect themselves in the field, but needed to do it within the law.
“We are not a banana republic. We have a history in this country of the abuse of policing power; we all know about that,” he said.
“The message from the minister cannot be that what is required to fight crime is unbridled, unlawful violence,” he added.
Source: Getty Images
How did South Africans react?
Social media users weighed in on Masemola’s comments, questioning if the new minister, whom many dubbed Mr Bean, would agree.
Maputle Ntsoane stated:
“But Minister Mr Bean is saying something different.”
Tshimega Waga Legwale asked:
“Where’s Mr Bean in all of this? Busy with a thesis?”
Dikiza Sizila said:
“But Mr Bean doesn't know street survival, and he said the police must respect the criminals’ rights.”
Thozama Mothlaudi added:
“They must go against the instructions of Mr Bean🤣.”
Sakhiwo Sakkie Paul asked:
“So, whose orders should officers follow? Because Mr Dustbin said criminals should be given flowers while armed against the police.”
Pheello Insistence Moloi Tsotetsi stated:
“Then Mr Bean will appear on our screens and say something different.”
Cachalia to meet with Masemola
Briefly News reported that Professor Cachalia plans to meet with National Police Commissioner General Masemola.
Cachalia, who has been appointed as the Police Minister, discussed his appointment recently.
Cachalia said that he will set his priorities once he has met with General Masemola.
Source: Briefly News
