Royal reservists urged to uphold and enforce the law
A community-based mounted unit to focus on stock theft in rural communities will also be launched
POLICE Minister, Bheki Cele, has urged the newly recruited royal reservists to uphold and enforce the law.
Speaking at the recent launch of the new royal reservists unit in Nongoma, Cele told recruits they must ‘protect the nation’.
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‘When people see you, they must feel safe. It is not your duty to ask the victims of crime to negotiate with the perpetrators. Your duty is to arrest perpetrators.’
Cele, together with King Goodwill Zwelithini, launched the royal reservists to curb criminal activities in rural areas.
About 100 male and female reservists have undergone training and are expected to take up their duties soon.
Cele said the reservists were hired to protect citizens and to investigate all cases before them.
‘Families must assist victims of abuse. Statistics reveal most victims withdraw their cases as they fear disgracing their families. KZN has the most cases of rape and murder. Do not accept bribes and do not associate yourselves with criminals,’ Cele said.
He was accompanied by national Police Commissioner, General Khehla Sithole, and KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Bheki Ntuli, among others.
General Sithole explained that the Royal police service was a result of a turnaround strategy aimed at increasing police visibility to minimise criminal activity.
‘We want all criminals to respect the law. We will achieve that by deploying police officers in all corners of this country. As we launch this pilot project here, it will be rolled out in the entire country, especially in areas under traditional leadership,’ said Sithole.
He explained the reservists were also trained to use firearms, and promised to provide them with further training to ensure that they execute their duties properly.
‘We will also launch a community-based mounted unit to focus on stock theft in rural communities.’
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