DA Gauteng shadow MEC for Safety and Security, Kate Lorimer MPL, and wards 60 and 123 DA councillor Percy Koji, led the march.
Koji said recent statistics revealed that a policeman was killed at least twice a week. He said, “Our officers are in a constant fight against crime and as recent reports have shown, they are now also losing their lives in the process of restoring order. We need to work hand in hand with our men and women in blue and restore their roles as community protectors, as without their interaction we are a helpless society.”
Koji also appealed to all community members to assist the police in fighting crime instead of killing one another, including police.
“We should stay away from alleging that community members are killing the police. The criminal element within the community is killing the police,” he said.
Koji added that 55 police officers have been killed this year alone, which is an increase from last years’ 47 police deaths.
“One lost life is too many, we can’t afford to lose any more lives at this stage,” he said. The councillor also stated that from 1994 to 2014 there had been a loss of 2 915 police lives whilst on duty. He said the numbers were too high to comprehend.
Koji said there was a need to ensure that the community provides all the necessary support and also work with police as opposed to working against them. He also emphasised that South Africa belonged to all who live in it and people have to continue building a rainbow nation and preserve and protect fellow brothers and sisters in blue.
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