Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

KwaZulu-Natal police have warned taxi operators that if they wage a war or threaten to take the police on they will be in for a big surprise.

Provincial Commissioner Hamilton Ngidi and Eugene Nzama, chief of the Durban Metro Police, yesterday expressed concern at media reports indicating that taxi operators in the province had declared war on the police.

Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Transport Alliance have reportedly threatened to fight back against the police.

They made the threat after the police impounded 40 taxis in the Durban city centre last month.

The taxis were impounded at roadblocks mounted by the Metro Police.

"In the light of the recent killing of two senior officers in the province, such reports are highly irresponsible and perpetuate the criminal mindset that police officers are expendable," said the heads of police in a joint statement.

"We would also appreciate it if those who utter such statements were to clarify what they mean when they say they intend declaring war on the police, especially in the light of the current trend of criminals to indiscriminately open fire on police officers.

"We want to send a clear message to those who intend taking us on that we are more than prepared for the war they talk about."

Police spokesman Phindile Hadebe said: Our officers are not prepared to die while criminals walk away only to commit further offences."