Cele must back up talk with action

Police Minister Bheki Cele has never been one to keep quiet.

Over the years there have been a number of quotable quotes linked to the former police commissioner, most notably when he reportedly said “shoot to kill” criminals without worrying about “what happens after that”. He later denied saying this, insisting police should “use deadly force when under attack”, but the bottom line is Cele likes to be known as a no-nonsense type of guy.

Yesterday he was at it again in Westbury, a community fed up with the high prevalence of drugs, gang-related violence and police officers who are allegedly bribed to turn a blind eye to criminal activity.

Cele, in Westbury for the second time this week, revealed his plan to combat the community’s concerns after a tense week of protests following the death of mother Heather Peterson, who was hit by a stray bullet during a gunfight between rival gangs late last month. Her 10-year-old daughter was wounded in the incident.

Cele warned the police are coming for criminals in the area.

“We are making a call on them, come and face us, come and face those who are standing there,” Cele said while pointing at his tactical response team. He immediately deployed his task team, who will patrol the area day and night in an attempt to flush out the wanted criminals, of which he has a list of 20. The minister added that these officers would be stationed in the area until he felt that the situation had stabilised.

“We will find out who these criminals are. No oxygen will be wasted on criminals. We will squeeze them out of this community!” Cele said.

“We are sick and tired. The gangsters should be the people dying here. I can assure criminals, they won’t win.”

Talk can be good … as long as it is backed up by action.

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