 
MEDIA STATEMENT
MEC DECLARES WAR ON POLICE KILLERSKwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Safety and Security Mr. Bheki Cele has called on members of the SAPS to defend themselves at all cost when they are being attacked by criminals while they are on duty. Cele was speaking at the Chatsworth Police Training College, south of Durban where a passing-out parade for 143 student police constables was held today. Cele said that the police should declare war on criminals who attacked them when executing their duties so that these criminals become fully aware that police will retaliate with all force when attacked by criminals. "If someone who is carrying a camera wants to shoot a picture of you, respond with a smile. But if he is carrying a gun and threatens to shoot you, then you must respond in a similar manner. These colleges should not be training police officers to increase the number of graves, but they should be developing police officers to protect our communities," said Cele. Last year alone more than 30 police officers in were killed in the line of duty in KwaZulu-Natal. Cele also warned the student constables that as they had graduated they should not go out to communities to organize crime but should work hard to fight against organized crime which was so rampant in the country. The MEC also said he was pleased to see more female police officers being part of the passing-out parade as this was in line with government policy to increase the number of women in the public service. "Policy stipulates that by the end of March 2005 there should be a minimum of 30% women and two percent disabled people occupying senior managerial positions in the public service, and this includes the police service," said Cele. The ceremony, which was attended by scores of police officers including the Provincial Police Commissioner Hamilton Ngidi, Deputy Commissioners and Area Commissioners culminated in the handing over of medals to about thirty police officers who have displayed faithfulness and commitment to the service.
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