Police Minister Bheki Cele says he wants cop killers dead or alive. Cele attended the memorial of the South African Police Service officers who were shot and killed whilst in the line of duty. Forty-five-year-old Vusimuzi Batsha and 29-year-old Khotso Malahlela were ambushed while responding to a crime scene in Boksburg a week ago.
RISKING THEIR LIVES DAILY
After shooting them, the suspects stole their service pistols and bullet proof vests. Cele has urged SAPS to use all their resources to apprehend the three suspects that are still at large. Cele addressed family members and colleagues of the deceased during a memorial service in Boksburg. He said the killing of police officers will not be accepted and they should not hesitate to retaliate.
"Get these criminals dead or alive. However I would prefer to see them. I want to look them in the face and ask them what happened and what was going through their minds when they decided to take lives." Cele said criminals are all over and somehow think they can do as they please.
"The ones we find need to be made an example of, "he said, adding that police risk their lives on a daily basis to protect citizens therefore they should also be protected."
BRING THEM TO BOOK
Sergeant Batsha leaves behind a wife and three children. Batsha family representative Amos Mkhwanazi has called for justice. “It is so painful to lose such young men who has children. We lost someone who dedicated his life to the force. Bheki Cele you need to bring them to book.” Bheki Xiba from the police union SAPU says police killings have become a pandemic. “The President said the killing of police officers amounts to treason. It is an attack on the state. We are calling on the community to assist in catching these criminals. They could be here. We need the community to protect the protectors. The killing of police officers has become a pandemic. The national commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, has subsequently called on all South Africans to contribute to a safer country by working closely with the police to end the senseless attacks on and murders of police officers.
