Minister of Police General Bheki Cele recently addressed law enforcement officers, calling on them to use proportional force when facing threats. This plea comes in the wake of the tragic death of Sergeant Kediemetse Masilo, who was killed while tracking a stolen vehicle in Kimberley. Unfortunately, this incident is not an isolated case, as 31 police officers have lost their lives in the past three months.
The Perpetrator and the Funeral
The perpetrator responsible for Sergeant Masilo’s death, Daniel Alberts, has a criminal record as a repeat offender and is already facing charges in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court. During Sergeant Masilo’s funeral, several speakers, including Deputy Minister in the Presidency Mr. Kenny Morolong, MEC of Community Safety in the Northern Cape Ms. Nomandla Bloem, National Commissioner of SAPS General Fannie Masemola, and Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, highlighted the issue of police officer fatalities.
Response and Support
Minister Cele has garnered support from SAPS management and representatives of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) in response to the alarming trend. The collective message is clear: police officers should act decisively in any situation. However, any force used must be “necessary, reasonable, and proportional.” Minister Cele emphasized that officers must be “vigilant and operationally ready to act in any circumstances” and implored them not to “die with the resources and tools that we have given you.”
Commemorating Fallen Officers
The South African Police Service will commemorate 34 fallen police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in the 2022/2023 financial year. This event will take place at the Union Buildings on September 3, 2023. Constable Mandindi, who died alongside Sergeant Masilo, will be laid to rest in Pampierstad, Northern Cape, on September 2, 2023.
The recent surge in police officer fatalities highlights the need for improved safety measures and support for those who risk their lives to protect their communities. Minister Cele’s call for proportional force and decisive action is a critical reminder of the challenges and dangers that police officers face in their line of duty. As a nation, we must mourn the loss of our heroes and heroines while making strides to ensure that those who continue to serve can do so with confidence and security.
