Susan Shabangu, Deputy Minister of Safety and security, has recently called on the police to shoot to kill when faced with circumstances that would place their lives in danger. I would actually agree with Justice Malala’s article on the issue this past Monday (http://www.thetimes.co.za/). Malala posed a question: “Does Shabangu want to live in a country where her children could be shot dead anytime?” Yes, there have been some horrible acts of crime taking place in our country and if one thinks deeply about this situation, the Deputy Minister might actually be onto something BUT. I don’t think police killing people will solve anything. It would just lead to more rebellion and more acts of crime.
I was watching the SABC news sometime this week and an elderly man was caught in a crossfire at Lenisia where there had been service delivery protests. The police had started firing rubber bullets at the protesters and the old man was on his way back home when he experienced what will probably be a traumatizing event at his age when he was greeted by rubber bullets on his head. Is this the kind of world that Shabangu wants our children to grow up in? This policy will benefit no one…especially since there are some individuals out there who, truth be told, look guilty even though they are innocent and have never committed any form of crime besides – steal sugar!!
Check out Malala's column on the subject!
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2 comments:
Shabangu has lost the plot with that instruction.. I don't know how she can give it, as it is not acceptable for the police to shoot perpetrators. I understand that they have a duty to protect themselves but with that duty is one that is first and foremost which is to Protect society.. To be in the police Force is a noble thing but when their job starts to entail that they the kill-almost at will it starts to lose its nobility. It is dangerous job but not a passport to Kill!! What about innocent Bystanders can we afford deaths like that??
We definetly can not afford..to have those type of deaths..!I mean, that old man who was just walking past and got caught in the middle of a crossfire..That has infringed that man's rights to walk about as he pleases in the township..People's lives are in danger..!
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