MTHETHWA MUST SAY ABOUT DEATHS

"The Minister of Police, Mr. Nathi Mthethwa's silence on the doubling of the number of people who have been shot dead by the Police, creates the impression that he accepts the state of affairs. The National Commissioner, Gen. Bheki Cele, justifies the actions of the Police because he says police members are exhausted and tense. That 542 people were shot by the Police in 2010 as opposed to 281 in the 2005/2006 financial year, should let the alarm bells sound with the Minister and he owes the public an answer," Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), chief spokesperson on Police for the FF Plus says.

"The public are becoming frightened of the Police and is busy losing total confidence in the Police. It appears as if the Minister is scared to say something because he may contradict Cele or oppose him. Part of the problem is that not all police members have a competency certificate in terms of the Firearms Control Act. To obtain a competency certificate one has to know the legal aspects for the use of a firearm. This poor training is partly the reason for the problem of police killings," Groenewald said.

Statement issued by Mr. Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus Chief Spokesperson: Police, May 6 2011

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