Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Hamilton Ngidi has hailed members of the SAPS in the province, saying they have done extremely well under challenging circumstances.

Addressing policemen at the KwaZulu-Natal SAPS Women's Network Second Annual Prestige Awards in Durban on Friday, Ngidi said the police had done well, though they have faced criticism from all quarters, especially the media. The awards are given to officers who have excelled in social responsibility initiatives.

KwaZulu-Natal police have faced intense criticism recently from the public and organisations advocating prisoners' rights over the manner in which they have handled the suspected killers of their colleagues.

This is the case especially with those suspected of killing Superintendent Zethembe Chonco, who was gunned down in August.

Since Chonco was ambushed and killed, seven people suspected to have had a hand in his murder have been killed.

A Kwa-Maphumulo taxi operator has subsequently applied to the Durban high court for an interdict against the police, saying he is aware that his name appears on the police's "wanted list" of people who were allegedly involved in Chonco's killing.

He claimed that all others on the list have since been killed by the police. The interdict has since been granted.

But Ngidi said police had done well under the circumstances. "Don't be shaken by the criticism you have been getting lately. I want you to know that what you are doing out there is great," said Ngidi.

Regional winner Inspector Miriam Vanker will represent KwaZulu-Natal at the national competition in Gauteng on November 27.

Vanker has initiated a number of social initiative projects in the province, including a home for abused women and children.