POLICE BUDGET VOTE
MAY 26 2011-05-26
National Council of Provinces
HON MW MAKHUBELA
COPE expresses its disappointment with the department for not upholding its image with the people. Such an attitude has a long history and we are not making much progress. As a result of this, public perception about the police is suffering on the one hand, and the safety of the police is being compromised on the other hand.
It is no secret that the ANC government painted the police as a demon during the liberation days. During that time the police were marginalized, insulted, booed at, maligned, and attacked. Many were killed and necklaced, Hon Minister.
During the years of the struggle it was common for people to say: "Bulale Izinja" [Kill the dogs, meaning kill the police]. This attitude of the people against the police has not changed, even in our new dispensation. That is why in only five months of this year, 36 police officers have already been killed. This is totally unacceptable.
Police in the 80's and 90's were necklaced, harassed and victimised and had their homes and families burned. These days a new trend has developed - they are shooting at the police in the head, as witnessed recently here in Cape Town, where two police officers were gunned down.
Instead of just wearing a bullet-vest, police officers operating in rough neighbourhoods now need bullet-helmets, Hon Minister. It is also unacceptable to send two police officers into dangerous areas.