One of the main duties of the police is to arrest criminal suspects and gather enough evidence for a successful conviction in a court of law.

One of the main duties of the police is to arrest criminal suspects and gather enough evidence for a successful conviction in a court of law.

By so doing the police gain the confidence of the public for their efforts in the administration of justice.

We are rather disturbed by reports that the police cannot arrest a known murder suspect because seven witnesses were afraid to testify.

Lindiwe Mthembu was shot dead a few days before she was to testify against two Johannesburg police inspectors on charges of corruption and extortion.

Instead of dropping the charges these witnesses must be offered protection. Failure to do so will result in similar cases being struck off the roll.

This is a travesty of justice.