STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE SA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TO CONDEMN THE KILLING OF POLICE OFFICERS
Tuesday, 24 May 2011

The SA Human Rights Commission condemns the killing of police officers. According to reports the number of police officers that are killed in the line of duty is increasing.

On Sunday Warrant Officer Gurswin Matthee and Constable Cannon Cloete from Kraaifontein in the Western Cape were killed while attending to a complaint in the early hours of the morning.

In addition to this, Captain Sydney Bongani Hlengwa and Constable Zamikhaya Patrick Hlangulela from Creighton in Durban were killed last week Thursday during a raid.

This year already, it is reported that 32 police officers have been killed. Other statistics also indicate that about 109 police officers were killed between 2008 and 2009 while 110 were killed between 2009 and 2010.
The Commission is urging community members with any information that can assist with the arrest of those who are involved in these crimes to contact their nearest police stations.

The killing of police officers undermines the proper functioning of the criminal-justice system. A proper functioning criminal- justice is one of the key requirements in the protection of human rights and the stability of the country’s democracy.
           
ENDS

Further enquiries:

Mr Vincent Moaga, Spokesperson, 073 562 9866/011 877 3636
Mr Wisani Baloyi, National Media Co-ordinator on (011) 877 3634