JOHANNESBURG - The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has the brutal killing of two members of the South African Police Service’s Anti-Gang Unit in Reiger Park, Ekurhuleni, on Friday.
Reports indicate that Two civilians were Killed. The two officers, who were part of a crime-prevention operation, heard the gunfire and moved towards the source, where they were ambushed.
In a statement, POPCRU said an attack on a police officer is an attack on the authority of the democratic state and on the safety of every South African.
“Criminals cannot be allowed to reach a point where they believe they can ambush and kill police officers with impunity. When those tasked with protecting communities are hunted down while performing their duties, society must recognise that a dangerous line has been crossed,” the statement reads in part.
POPCRU said killing of the officers could not become another statistic followed by expressions of outrage before the country simply moves on.
“Government and SAPS management must confront police killings as a national priority. The Anti-Gang Unit operates on some of the most dangerous fronts in the battle against organised and violent crime.
“Its members confront criminal networks that terrorise communities and undermine the rule of law. Sending officers into these environments without sufficient intelligence, resources and operational support places their lives at unacceptable risk.”
The union has also urged community members to work with the authorities by providing information.
“Criminals survive when communities are intimidated into silence. They must find no sanctuary in our communities.”