KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has invited experts and those with strong opinions on the ‘war’ between police officers and suspected criminals in the province, to join their operations and deal with hardened criminals first hand.
Mkhwanazi said this in an interview with Newzroom Afrika amid criticism of the SAPS in KZN following skirmishes between cops and suspects, resulting in 40 suspects being shot dead by the police between April and July this year.
Mkhwanazi said it was difficult to argue with someone who called himself an expert in a field yet did not really understand what it entailed.
“An operation of the police is better known by a police officer. Even myself being in here, having worked for so many years, in a high-risk environment, with the experience I have, I cannot judge police officers until I hear from them about what transpired,” he said.
Mkhwanazi said it seemed that the profession was being taken for granted and that everyone believed they knew the right way of policing. He said anyone who had a suggestion on how they should work was welcome to get in touch with the SAPS.
“If you want to volunteer as a reservist on operations come and join us so you can kick doors and approach those hardened criminals. We put you in the front and then you lead us in terms of tackling that criminal and perhaps you’ll come out differently and start preaching a different gospel,” challenged Mkhwanazi.
Moreover, he noted, that the police were not the type of people to find space on television and talk about their work. They were out on the streets serving society that was being held hostage and appreciated them.
He acknowledged that the police had to sharpen their skills even more because they did not want to lose a single member. Mkhwanazi said most police officers who died on duty were in the lower ranks and on the ground.
Mkhwanazi said it was not easy for police officers who kissed their families goodbye every morning, not knowing whether they would come back to them at the end of the day,
“It becomes worse when they are engaged in a gun battle, because the moment they shoot someone, they are left with the trauma.”
He said the violent incidents affected them and a member who was involved had to be debriefed, taken for counselling, and withdraw from the operation.
Meanwhile, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has urged the public to cooperate with law enforcers to fight crime. He said the SAPS was the only organisation in the country that was mandated to protect all citizens.
Sunday Tribune