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Concern over KZN SAPS’ shoot-to-kill mentality

todayJuly 31, 2024 160

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Constitutional law expert, Pierre de Vos, says the heavy handedness of police in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is a cause for concern.

In the past four days, nine suspected criminals have been shot dead by police in shootouts.

De Vos says even though police have every right to defend themselves, it does not justify the random killing of civilians who may or may not have been correctly identified as criminal suspects.

On Tuesday, five suspects wanted for several cases of murder, were killed after a gunfight in Cato Manor.

Preliminary reports suggests that the suspects were in the process of planning the assassination of a police officer.

Last week, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, confirmed that KZN police had shot and killed at least 40 alleged criminal suspects in shootouts since the beginning of April.

In an opinion piece first published on the Daily Maverick, De Vos says these occurrences are leaving communities in fear, as police seem trigger happy.

The expert says the fact that many people think the shoot-to-kill approach is the best way to deal with criminals is worrying.

“Many supporters of the shoot-to-kill approach strangely assume, first, that all the victims killed by the police were indeed dangerous criminals, as alleged by the police, and second, that they therefore deserved to be killed, even without having been convicted and sentenced after receiving a fair trial.”

He says he understands that due to the high levels of crime, citizens will think that the aggressive actions by the police is a good thing, as police work to bring safety to communities.

“While the police may well have been justified to shoot and kill some of these suspects in self-defense, there is currently little evidence publicly available about who the suspects were and what crimes they were accused of having committed; what evidence the police had to conclude that these suspects were dangerous criminals?” he asks.

Veteran activist and violence monitor, Professor Mary de Haas, has also previously raised concern to YNews over the KZN police’s conduct.

According to de Haas, the suspects are sometimes killed because they probably have intel on corrupt officials.

β€œThere is so much corruption in the police and the good police suffer. If the police shoot people, there may be people who are working with corrupt police and they can’t expose the corruption if you shoot them because dead men tell no tale,” Prof de Hass added.

Meanwhile, KZN police spokesperson, Robert Netshiunda, is adamant they won’t change tune any time soon.

He says they will not hesitate to shoot back at criminals, who dare to shoot at them first.

Some social media users agree with Netshiunda and his colleagues.

The public is not crying about the police killing suspects in shootouts. We are tired of armed gangs in SA, terrorising communities. Those bleeding-heart organisations, who are questioning these killings, have not been victims of violent crime.

β€” ERROLπŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯ (@errolbsk) July 31, 2024

There’s nothing wrong with KZN cops shootings because our country has many criminals that need to be shot

β€” NgwanaThariE’ntsho (@LindaMasango11) July 31, 2024

KZN police I salute you

β€” MatomeJ (@Amothoka) July 31, 2024

Another comfortable SA citizen busy questioning the progress being made by KZN police

If this guy’s needs evidence, can he please join the KZN @Saps to assess the situation before criminals are being killed

Stop questioning & start going 2 the ground simplehttps://t.co/LZY7gNmjFn

β€” Big_Cres khedutla (@Bigcres1) July 31, 2024

The intelligence of kzn police must be applauded because I believe is the successful drive behind their successful operations. The General has revived the intelligence in that province. Well done General

β€” Thabo Mokodutlo (@Thibos456) July 31, 2024

Top job to the police. You identify the criminals and go for them. Criminals shooting at police is sheer disregard for the laws of SA. They must learn. Don’t play with the police in kzn. We’ll done Salute

β€” Julian Reddy (@julian_red64376) July 31, 2024

However, some are against this.

A SAPS officer can kill you, by mistake or on purpose, and declare that you were a violent criminal suspect. It’s his word against… Actually, it’s his word. https://t.co/xjcJmYBW90

β€” Bloody Aardvark (@AardvarkBloody) July 31, 2024

As a 2009 licensed gun owner, I’m aware of legal requirements before discharging a gun, i.e. justification. What always bothered me with KZN police shootings was the absence of survivors. All dead without wounded survivors does not wash with me. Too convenient for absence of witnesses

β€” Phuthi (@MSMseven9) July 31, 2024

Nope. KZN police will pounce at suspects and shoot at everyone they find then claim a “gunfire”. Meanwhile, IPID is toothless, under resourced and understaffed. It’s seriously concerning and it’s going to get out of hand soon.

β€” Lord Spencer (@LordSpencer99) July 31, 2024

Written by: Nonhlanhla Harris

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