TWENTY-TWO police officers from KwaZulu-Natal lost their lives in the line of duty during the 2014/2015 financial year.
On Thursday, 13 August at the King Zwelithini Stadium, a mass prayer day was hosted by SAPS and religious groups honouring the men and women who paid the ultimate price in the fight against crime.
The purpose of the gathering included; raising awareness on the importance of police presence in communities, the reduction of death rates in the SAPS, the salvation and deliverance of people’s lives, and the importance of creating partnerships between SAPS and their communities to fight crime in unity.
Activities on the day included; a motorcade from Mega City Mall, police officials led by the SAPS Military Band marching from the Mangosuthu University of Technology to the King Zwelithini Stadium , mass prayers against police killings by various religious groups. Those present were also addressed by the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Community Safety Mr. Mchunu and Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Khombinkosi Jula.
In a media statement issued this week, police were advised to promote and sustain a safe environment for themselves by;
- Ensuring that their service pistols including the magazine is in a serviceable condition at all times, and that redundant ammunition is replaced timeously.
- Serviceable bullet-resistant vests, including the ceramic plates must be utilized at all times when on duty, this includes members that perform duties in the Community Service Centre.
- Members must equip themselves with a set of handcuffs, pepper spray, radio and torch when reporting for duty.
- They should not talk, text or listen to music on mobile devices while on patrol be it on foot or vehicle bound, as it affects their level of alertness and observation capabilities of their surroundings.
- As an authorized driver of a State vehicle, they must ensure that a thorough pre-trip inspection of the vehicle is conducted. This could prevent a breakdown occurring/being stranded, which could result in the members exposing themselves to an assault on their lives.
- They should never respond to a complaint alone, always work in pairs. Every complaint/situation must be approached as serious as the level threat is not always known. The correct tactical approach procedures must be applied to each situation to ensure their safety at all times. If the situation is volatile/becomes volatile they must call for back-up, always.
Community members are encouraged to report those individuals who are involved or responsible for the senseless killing of men and women in blue, by making an anonymous report through the various crime reporting mechanisms made available by SAPS : www.crimeline.co.za, SMS Hotline 32211,Crime Stop 08600 10111.
