THE ANC has made the fight against crime one of the priorities of the Jacob Zuma administration.
This was necessitated by the view that the state was soft on criminals since they went on the rampage, terrorising and killing our people without mercy.
It was also a way of departing from the denials by Thabo Mbeki's administration that crime is a problem in our country. The view is held by many citizens that criminals should not be seen to possess more power than the state.
When the ANC took this position it was not meant to give police licence to kill.
Incidents like the one in which an innocent woman was killed by the police in Mabopane and her friends wounded must be condemned. It is disturbing that people are going to be shot at without sufficient evidence that they are criminals.
This catastrophe comes amid efforts to amend legislation giving the police latitude to use maximum force when faced with danger.
All these efforts are accompanied by tough talk from Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa and Commissioner Bheki Cele.
It is not enough to say the Independent Complaints Directorate Act will be looked at as well. Focus must be on preventative measures to discourage police to shoot.
They must also look into disciplinary measures to be meted out to those who act beyond their powers.
An investigation must be conducted into those responsible for the shooting in Mabopane and if it is found that some people acted viciously with no reason, action should be taken and an example must be set.
Phaladi Seakgwe, ANCYL: Senyeki Mashegoana Branch, Sekhukhune
Mabopane killing must be investigated
THE ANC has made the fight against crime one of the priorities of the Jacob Zuma administration.
This was necessitated by the view that the state was soft on criminals since they went on the rampage, terrorising and killing our people without mercy.
It was also a way of departing from the denials by Thabo Mbeki's administration that crime is a problem in our country. The view is held by many citizens that criminals should not be seen to possess more power than the state.
When the ANC took this position it was not meant to give police licence to kill.
Incidents like the one in which an innocent woman was killed by the police in Mabopane and her friends wounded must be condemned. It is disturbing that people are going to be shot at without sufficient evidence that they are criminals.
This catastrophe comes amid efforts to amend legislation giving the police latitude to use maximum force when faced with danger.
All these efforts are accompanied by tough talk from Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa and Commissioner Bheki Cele.
It is not enough to say the Independent Complaints Directorate Act will be looked at as well. Focus must be on preventative measures to discourage police to shoot.
They must also look into disciplinary measures to be meted out to those who act beyond their powers.
An investigation must be conducted into those responsible for the shooting in Mabopane and if it is found that some people acted viciously with no reason, action should be taken and an example must be set.
Phaladi Seakgwe, ANCYL: Senyeki Mashegoana Branch, Sekhukhune