Cele slated over ‘shoot to kill’ statement

THE infamous “shoot to kill” catchphrase which has been synonymous with police ministers has once again irked the public after Police Minister Bheki Cele uttered it to police officers.

Addressing the officers on Tuesday during the launching of the Safer Festive Season programme, Cele told them to “shoot to kill”.

He told them to “shoot first and ask questions later”.

Safety and security Mayco member JP Smith agreed with Cele’s stance of not “negotiating with criminals”.

However, Action Society said Cele’s words were a reckless comment. In 2009 during his police commissioner tenure, Cele also made the remark.

Action Society director of community safety, Ian Cameron, said Cele’s comments were a ploy to gain favour on the ground.

He said this wouldn’t work and that Cele was throwing good police officers under the bus.

“Experienced cops disagree with Cele.

“There is a strong feeling among them that Cele will desert them when push comes to shove, and they have to defend their reasonable grounds after using deadly force,” said Cameron.

He said Cele must cease throwing around reckless statements.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, who condemned Cele’s remarks, said the instruction from the minister to the police officers under his watch was not only irresponsible, but also an incitement to break the law.

Hill-Lewis said the Criminal Procedures Act provided clear guidelines on the appropriate and proportionate use of force for police officers.

“Minister Cele’s remarks can only be interpreted as the bluster of a failed police minister with no real understanding of how to fight crime.

“The City of Cape Town rejects this cowboy approach to crimefighting.

“Instead, we believe in properly resourcing our law-enforcement agencies and ensuring that our officers are sufficiently trained to bring criminals to book,” Hill-Lewis said.

Several ministers over the years have also come under fire for such utterances.

In 2003, then safety and security minister Charles Nqakula, during a launch of the police deaths grant fund in KwaZulu-Natal, urged the police to shoot and kill.

In 2017, Fikile Mbalula also came under fire for giving the same instructions to the police

Similarly, then deputy safety and security minister Susan Shabangu told the police to “kill the bastards if they threaten you or the community” in 2008.

She told the police to not worry about the regulations.

Cele’s spokesperson, Lirandzu Themba, was approached for comment but did not respond by deadline.