Police in KwaZulu-Natal have put a squeeze on criminals with more cases of suspects being killed by police being reported. KZN Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has been hailed for his no-nonsense taking approach when it comes to fighting crime in his province.

THE LAST LINE OF DEFENCE

In the first half of this year, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) registered 83 suspects killed by the police in KZN. Recent incidents include six men who were shot dead in the Durban CBD, who were allegedly wanted for murder and extortion. From February police shot two cash-in-transit suspects dead in Verulam, Four suspects were killed following shootout with the police in Inanda. Another two cash-in-transit suspects were killed in Umlazi with another four that were killed in Estcourt for a separate matter. Three other suspects were shot dead in Eshowe. Four suspects were shot dead in Cato Manor. Nine suspects were shot dead in a gun battle with police in MarianhillTwo suspects were shot dead in Durban South. Four were shot dead in Camperdown and another four were shot dead in Phoenix... the list is ongoing. Asked to comment on the shootouts between police and criminals,Mkhwanazi said the police are the last line of defence between good and bad in this country. "We have to protect citizens. So we have to lay our lives down for them. If it means criminals must die, so be it. If it means we must die, so be it," said Mkhwanazi amid a volley of fatal shootings by police.

IT'S DO OR DIE

Questioned about the fatalities, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu acknowledged the shooting criminal as an option for the police and seems to be unapologetic about it. "Police know criminals, and that is why they arrest them, and they even shoot them. Arrest where you can, but where you have to, deal with them head-on."