Outcry as police murder angers unions

POLICE unions lashed out at management for the lack of manpower which they say is responsible for endangering police officers.

Frustrations boiled over at the memorial service of slain policeman Johannes Ngwane (55) in eSikhaleni on Thursday.

Instead of solemn condolences extended, the remembrance was marked by anger, frustration and an outcry by the police fraternity.

Ngwane was brutally murdered inside the eSikhawini police holding cell last Friday, after an alleged escape attempt by five trial awaiting prisoners.

He was strangled while conducting his afternoon routine search, allegedly without back-up, after one prisoner lured him inside the cell and pretended to be sick.

Police and Prison Civil Rights Union (Popcru) Provincial Gender Coordinator Greta Govender, said the situations rings a call for management to intervene.

Challenge

‘Overcrowded police stations and shortage of police remains a challenge.

‘There are never enough officials to deal with criminals and to patrol.

‘Determining a number of officials per shift or to be in a cell is a challenge because there is never enough workforce,’ she said.

Govender also said society’s stigma towards police should also be stopped.

‘People should know that police belong to the community, and eliminate the stigma that they are the enemy.

‘It is the main reason why our police are being killed because society does not see their value,’

With many officers being slain every month, including the recent cop murder in Gingindlovu, the

South African Policing Union (Sapu) recently launched operation ‘Stop Killing Police’.

Sapu representative Nurse Mdletshe, said the campaign is aimed at ensuring police safety and stop such inhuman acts.

‘Safety of our officials should be a main priority, but laws favour criminals. It is time we come together and say enough is enough,’ said Mdletshe.