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Police Minister Bheki Cele
- Police Minister Bheki Cele has called for a harsher punishment for those who attack police officers.
- The call comes after six police officers were killed in the past 10 days.
- The latest incident saw two police officers ambushed, killed and their firearms stripped on Sunday.
Police Minister Bheki Cele has asked police officers to defend themselves after six officers were killed in separate incidents in the past 10 days.
In a statement, the Police Ministry said it was “in a state of shock” after two more police officers were killed in the Western Cape. The deaths came just days after four officers were killed in KwaZulu-Natal.
In the latest incident, a police sergeant and a police officer were killed while on patrol in Bloekombos, Cape Town, early Sunday morning.
The officers were reportedly ambushed while on patrol and their vehicle was attacked. The officers died at the scene and their firearms were stolen.
The attack occurred on the same day that Cele made a speech at the funeral of a Durban police officer.
SEE | ‘We have to find them, dead or alive’ – Cele after the ambush and murder of a police couple
The Chatsworth officer was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence incident.
Cele told mourners that the latest police killings have left service members shocked and shocked.
“While it is a dark time for us in the police right now, these cowardly acts will not deter us. Let me remind police officers that when they go out to enforce law and order, the law is on their side to respond. decisively when confronting criminals and using deadly force to defend himself, “he said.
Cele also called for more severe punishment for crimes committed against police officers, saying they are national assets that must be protected at all costs.
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