WATCH: Police lives matter too
"With God, we will win this fight and put an end to these brutal killings" - Herman Mashaba
The killing of police officers recently made headlines as cops continue to lose lives while on duty fighting crime. Just as it has been the approach before, churches would normally organise prayer session to pray for law enforcement agencies in the province, particularly the police who risks their lives on ground-level.
The Methodist Church congregation has taken it upon itself to pray for the police who die on duty protecting and serving their country.
The Anglican Church and Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) held a prayer on June for the protection of our officers who fear for their lives.
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Police Chief, David Tembe said, “My heart is sore because these are our children who get killed and praying for them is the best thing to do.
“Police in our country are often criticised for the wrong reasons, however, when you decipher the reprovals you find that it was that one officer who tarnished the image of the organisation.
“We work under difficult circumstances when tackling crime and have never complained. One thing for sure, we are doing our level best to eradicate all criminals elements in every community.
When tabling the JMPD stats, Tembe said between 2001-2018 June, a total of 47 officers died in the line of duty and 13 were killed in various shooting incidences, and 34 died in car accidents while they were on their way to work and some fulfilling their duties.
“If JMPD is corrupt, we all are corrupt, because we wear the same uniforms and drive the same cars, hence one person can disgrace us all as an organisation and the country,” said Tembe.
“The City of Joburg cannot afford to keep losing so many police officers every year. We need to do everything necessary to increase protection, awareness through training and also better equip our police. I remember the memorial services and funerals that I attended, it was so sad,” City of Joburg MMC of Public Safety, Michael Sun.
The Executive Mayor @HermanMashaba is calling upon residents to join a mass prayer for the safety and protection of our public safety officers. #JoburgSafetyPrayer 🙏^PS pic.twitter.com/UQJ3rvDz7O
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) June 14, 2018
Cllr Sun said the primary objective is to protect our law officers and ensure that public safety is guaranteed. He further denoted that although he is not a police officer, he wouldn’t hesitate to put on a reflector to help.
“Today’s prayer is the inaugural step to reassuring our people that the senseless killings to our men and women will end. We cannot be ruled by criminals and live in fear because of them but we’ll do our best to make our City a safe region.
Executive mayor Herman Mashaba said, “With God, we will win this fight and put an end to these brutal killings.
“People should live in a place free of fear and crime and that is the kind of City that we want,” he concluded.
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