Popcru encourages cops to use their guns

THE WESTERN Cape Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union picketed outside three police stations in Cape Town yesterday, demanding that police be given more power to defend themselves.

The union’s provincial secretary, Mncedisi Mbolekwa, said the pickets were held at Cape Town Central, and Gugulethu and Khayelitsha police stations.

Mbolekwa said the pickets were to condemn police killings and encourage police to use their guns and fire back at criminals.

“Enough is enough. This should stop. We encourage police to use the guns on their hips when faced with criminals. We have taken a resolution which says that you can’t die with a firearm in your holster.

“We are saying to our members they should rather be arrested than be killed SIX PEOPLE were arrested and two AK-47 rifles and a handgun recovered after a diamond heist in SchweizerReneke, North West police said.

Police spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said six armed men attacked a farmer after he left his farm in Migdol on Wednesday.

“The suspects knocked the farmer’s bakkie with two of their vehicles pushing him out of the road in heavy rain.” by these criminals.”

Mbolekwa accused the public of being quick to attack police when they reacted or fought back against criminals.

“No one says anything when police are killed and are being slaughtered day in, day out.”

Mbolekwa said the union and its members were going to embark on a national march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria today.

He said the march was to demand a review of the SA Police Act and the Criminal Justice Act.

“We want the police to be given more power to defend themselves against criminals. We want it to be guaranteed that police should not hesitate when confronted in situations.”

Mbolekwa said many police officers were afraid of using their firearms to protect themselves.

“They get scared and we want that to end,” he said.

All three vehicles were damaged, but the suspects jumped out of their vehicles and robbed the farmer of 10 boxes of unpolished precious stones, diamonds, valued at millions.

The six then abandoned their damaged vehicles and hijacked a passer-by who was driving in a bakkie.”

Ramaloko said the rifles and a handgun were recovered in a maize field yesterday. – ANA