It can never be correct that there is no noise in the media regarding the attacks on police in uniform and on duty.

It cannot be correct that embassies of different countries keep mum when their own citizens are breaking the law in our country, even going to the extent of attacking the police.

On the West Rand a policeman was stabbed to death while on duty and in full uniform. In Vanderbijlpark, on the Vaal, police were assaulted, and the same happened recently in Soshanguve, Tshwane.

I thought I would witness the energy of Chapter 9 institutions, civil society movements and police unions coming out strongly to condemn the attacks. However, it's business as usual and who cares?

But if it was the police who had assaulted those foreigners, it would have made headlines in all newspapers in the country, screaming police brutality, with human rights groups joining the fray.

This silence is not only shaming the police but the entire country. You will never see a policeman in Botswana or Lesotho being attacked in broad daylight. Why then is it so easy in our country?

As a country, it is our duty to protect the men and women in blue who sacrifice their lives for our sake. Attending commemorations of deceased policemen will leave you shattered as you see those widows and orphans left behind. It's time to stand together and fight the scourge.

Andries Monyane, e-mail