Charge law enforcement killers with treason- COSATU
He has also appealed to the Department of Justice not to take long to finalise such cases because the delay in the meeting out justice further affects the victims and survivors of crime.
COSATU Chairperson in Standerton, Lucas Mnisi has called on the Criminal Justice System to consider charging those who kill law enforcement officers with treason.
Mnisi was speaking during a Memorial Service that was held in Standerton yesterday (11 August 2016) in honour of the late Bongani Nkumba who was fatally shot while on duty last Friday, August 5, 2016 in Standerton.
According to Mnisi anybody who attacks peace officers such as the police, correctional and traffic officers as well as members of SANDF are directly attacking the state because peace officers are representing the state at all times particularly when they are in uniform.
• Shongwe condemns senseless killing of a traffic officer
He said the actions of the suspects who killed Nkumba are similar to waging the war against the state and therefore offenders should be severely punished. He has also appealed to law enforcement officers not to be discouraged from doing their work by those who attack them.
He has also appealed to the Department of Justice not to take long to finalise such cases because the delay in the meeting out justice further affects the victims and survivors of crime.
Speaking at the same Memorial Service, Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe has once more slammed the killing of law enforcement officers saying police remain key in protecting communities and combating crime.
• Traffic officers want justice
He says with Nkumba’s murder, the law enforcement officers should do introspection and find ways of better protecting themselves against those who attach them.
The MEC explained that any person who wears a uniform is a target of criminals and therefore law enforcement officers need to become more vigilant particularly around places that they go to even when they are not on duty.
He added that criminals resent peace officers because they see them as a stumbling block towards the commission of their horrendous deeds and therefore police can only be too careful.
Shongwe went on to say: “policing or law enforcement is a calling and not everyone can become a police or a traffic officer that is why it is important to be weary of not making themselves vulnerable to criminals.”
The three suspects appeared in court on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 and their case was
Postponed to August 29, 2016 for formal bail application and they remain in custody.
Meanwhile MEC Shongwe will attend Nkumba’s funeral service that will be held on Saturday, 13 August 2016 at Kamagugu near Mbombela.
