Police Minister Senzo Mchunu issued a stern warning to those who point guns at police, saying the officers would return fire with fire.
Speaking at the ANC lekgotla, Mchunu said the police could not give up to criminals but had to defend themselves.
“We want to send a warning out there that gangs or individuals, if you point a gun and indeed you shoot at police, you must not expect the police not to respond to you,” he said.
Mchunu also said the officers needed to defend themselves because they are human beings too.
“They are not rolling stones. They are fathers and mothers of their children. They are husbands, they are wives (and) relatives of people. They are human beings so they cannot just give up to criminals. They can’t do that, they need to defend themselves.”
Mchunu took exception to a news report that had referred to police as trigger happy after suspects were shot dead in crossfire with police.
There have been concerns with the spate of killings of suspects by the police especially in KwaZulu-Natal.
“They don’t talk about trigger happy criminals other than those caught in crime scenes in the past in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We are in a democratic country and we accept different opinions. I think the media needs to give SAPS space. You can’t be complaining about everything,” he said.
The minister said the ANC lekgotla has identified murder, availability of drugs, proliferation of legal and illegal firearms among the priority crimes.
“Of late we are seeing kidnapping, extortion also on the increase, but also it is taking our attention to illegal foreigners.”
Mchunu said there were various specialised units including anti-gang units, among others.
“We identified the need to strengthen crime intelligence which we are aware needs review of the budget which we certainly need to do when time allows down the line.
“I know the policies on the other side are recruiting and adding few personnel.”
Commenting the construction mafia, Mchunu said they have a plan that needed to be completed and refined.
“We want to say people who are victims of the construction mafia need to open up cases so that police can act. It does not help to say we are tired of mafias.”
Mchunu also said the acts of extortion were an invitation to the police to tackle it.
“It is our responsibility to tackle it. We are there as crime intelligence collecting as much information throughout the country. We will tackle it.”
Cape Times