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“We come in peace, shoot to kill”

18 April 2008 Gareth Stokes

Recent statements by Susan Shabangu, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Safety & Security would be equally at home on the pages of a Hollywood action script as in the hallowed corridors of parliament. Shabangu made a string of controversial comments during

How can we place our trust in the police when they are under instruction to respond to dissention with maximum force? And what good can possibly come from allowing an officer to react violently at the slightest provocation. No doubt those of you who applauded the Deputy Minister’s tough stance will sing a different tune whey you collect a 9mm slug for back-chatting an officer of the law.

A dearth of leadership

At a time when crime is the buzzword in South Africa our crime fighting units have become giant rudderless ships. It’s not surprising given the unique ‘situations’ the heads of these esteemed bodies find themselves in. National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi is currently enjoying long leave at the expense of South Africa’s taxpayers. After months of accusation and denial (including a special guest defence by President Thabo Mbeki) Selebi was charged in February with corruption and defeating the ends of justice. He will only appear in court again on 26 June this year.

And head of Johannesburg Metro Police Robert McBride is also taking things easy pending the outcome of a drink driving case. He rolled his vehicle in Centurion in December 2006 after leaving a year-end function. McBride is also facing charges of defeating the ends of justice and fraud. It is alleged he interfered with police process at the accident scene and subsequently tried to get a doctor to issue a false medical certificate. More serious allegations of intimidation and irregular appointments at the Johannesburg Metro have since surfaced.

There is simply no way that an ordinary member of the police force can operate at full potential when such aspersions are cast on the moral calibre of its leadership. If the buck doesn’t stop at the top it’s certainly not going to stop anywhere else!

Decisive action is called for

The SAPS is like so many other government departments which simply adopt the ‘business as usual’ approach when faced with operational challenges. If South Africa wants to grow as a nation we’re going to have to learn to take decisive action. It’s pointless to debate the issues, identify the problems and then fail to take concrete steps to implement the required changes. The SAPS needs to root out the corrupt and incapable among its leadership structures. It needs to dismiss them with immediate effect and replace them with capable, caring and ethical individuals.

Until such ruthless action is taken the SAPS will remain at the mercy of the same incompetence that has rendered numerous government departments obsolete – at least as far as service is concerned. What better way to sum the situation than with another line from the Star Trekkin’ song: “Star Trekkin’ across the universe; only going forward ‘cause we can’t find reverse.” For now it seems ‘Star-ship South Africa’ is doing exactly that… We’re blundering through the ages in the same gear and at the same speed without the slightest intention of taking a hand in our own collective destiny.

Editor’s thoughts:
South Africans are fed up with crime. Not a day goes by that we’re not bombarded with some shocking event from within or near the community we live in. We’ve become so desperate that the prospect of fighting fire with fire becomes appealing. Do you really want to be policed by a police force with a ‘shoot to kill’ mandate? Add your comments below, or send them to gareth@fanews.co.za

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