POLICE Minister Nathi Mthethwa and national police commissioner General Bheki Cele yesterday reiterated that the police would deal harshly with those who broke the law.
Mthethwa and Cele were speaking at uMzinto on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast during a crime awareness imbizo.
They were also in the area to thank successful officers, including those who were involved in the prosecution of sugarcane serial killer and rapist Thozamile Taki, who operated in the area.
Taki killed 13 women and was sentenced to 13 life terms and 218 years in prison.
"The police's job is not to kill but to arrest criminals. But if criminals think they are James Bond they must expect the police to respond in the same fashion. The police will be tough on crime and on those out to kill them," Mthethwa said.
He said the war against crime could not be fought and won by the police alone. The minister called on the public, religious groups and the private sector to play their part.
Cele said the police did not enjoy killing.
"Some police have to be counselled after a shootout with criminals because at the end of the day they are human beings and view criminals as human beings," he said.
Gender commission head Mfanuzelwe Shozi asked the security chiefs to put the same effort into investigating an increasing number of hate crimes against lesbians.
Some residents took the opportunity to ask the two to ensure uMzinto police station opened 24 hours and not close at 4pm.
'The police's job is not to kill'
POLICE Minister Nathi Mthethwa and national police commissioner General Bheki Cele yesterday reiterated that the police would deal harshly with those who broke the law.
Mthethwa and Cele were speaking at uMzinto on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast during a crime awareness imbizo.
They were also in the area to thank successful officers, including those who were involved in the prosecution of sugarcane serial killer and rapist Thozamile Taki, who operated in the area.
Taki killed 13 women and was sentenced to 13 life terms and 218 years in prison.
"The police's job is not to kill but to arrest criminals. But if criminals think they are James Bond they must expect the police to respond in the same fashion. The police will be tough on crime and on those out to kill them," Mthethwa said.
He said the war against crime could not be fought and won by the police alone. The minister called on the public, religious groups and the private sector to play their part.
Cele said the police did not enjoy killing.
"Some police have to be counselled after a shootout with criminals because at the end of the day they are human beings and view criminals as human beings," he said.
Gender commission head Mfanuzelwe Shozi asked the security chiefs to put the same effort into investigating an increasing number of hate crimes against lesbians.
Some residents took the opportunity to ask the two to ensure uMzinto police station opened 24 hours and not close at 4pm.
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