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Once again Julius Malema's fiery words threaten to ignite trouble.
Speaking at Ilembe yesterday, Malema encouraged the police to shoot to
kill criminals. The IFP is concerned by the irresponsibility of this
instruction, which we have questioned before.

"We are putting our police men and women in a terribly vulnerable
position," said Velaphi Ndlovu, IFP Spokesperson on Police. "The law
offers no protection to officers who shoot innocent people, believing
them to be criminals. How are our police meant to determine in the
heat of the moment who is a criminal?"

Legislation has not yet been changed to allow a "shoot to kill"
policy. It is important that officers understand that they do not have
license to engage lethal action in any situation, without first firing
warning shots and without attempting to determine the facts of the
situation.

"It is grossly irresponsible to suggest that our police should do
something the law does not allow them to do," said Ndlovu. "In the
end, it is the officers themselves who will suffer, because the law
does not protect them. In addition, the families of innocent victims
will suffer."

For the sake of the safety and security of all South Africans, the IFP
calls on Malema to be more circumspect in his public statements.