Issued by: Secretariat for Safety and Security
MEDIA STATEMENT BY AZHAR CACHALIA SECRETARY FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY
PRETORIA 18 FEBRUARY 1997
There have been several incidents in previous weeks involving armed combat between SAPS members and armed robbers. In some of these incidents Police Officers have been seriously wounded and even killed. In the recent much publicised "Valentines Day Massacre" Police disguising themselves as staff in a small Supermarket in Rosettenville killed 5 alleged robbers after apparently receiving a tip-off that the store would be targeted.
There have also been reports of shootouts involving private security companies and armed robbers. In all of these cases the robbers were heavily armed with illegal firearms.
In most of these incidents criminals have been using firearms that had been stolen from licenced firearm owners.
The Department of Safety and Security is dealing with the problem of the proliferation of firearms in a comprehensive manner this year. Increased resources will be made available to firearm units which are tackling the serious problem of illegal firearms. Proposals are being looked at to tighten control on the licencing of legal firearms. While stricter control on licenced firearms is clearly a sensitive matter, we cannot allow our country to become a war zone.
We also appreciate the difficulty that our Police officers face in confronting dangerous criminals. However we want to give the assurance that the Police Service is required to act strictly in terms of the law inn dealing with such people. The Police may only use lethal force legally in life threatening situations and when the use of force is clearly reasonable and justifiable.
The recently established Independent Complaints Directorate will be required to investigate every death which has resulted from police action. The Department is required by law to investigate every incident when a member of the Police Service discharges a firearm.