Public’s Cooperation Essential to Eliminate attacks on Police | Western Cape Government

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Public’s Cooperation Essential to Eliminate attacks on Police

29 January 2015

Statement by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety

I condemn the callous acts of lawlessness intentionally directed at a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS) as reported in the media today. The burglary at a Woodstock policeman’s house and the rape of his wife is an attack on the state that needs immediate intervention.

My sincerest condolences go to the brave officer and his family for the trauma they have experienced and I call on both the SAPS and government to assist them in their darkest hour.

The latest annual report of the SAPS in the Western Cape shows that attacks on on-duty police officers increased with more than 200% from 184 in 2012/13 to 388 in 2013/14 while attacks on off-duty police members increased with more than 100% to 46 incidents in 2013/14.

Immediate intervention is required to build relations between our communities and the police who serve to protect us.

A thorough police investigation is underway and I trust that the community will assist wherever possible to provide information to the police that will help ensure an arrest of the perpetrators so that they can face the full might of the law.

Those guilty of this crime should know that they will be found.

I call on the relatives, neighbours, friends and family of those responsible for this crime to do the right thing and hand them over to the police. Your silence does not protect them, it endangers us all.

Anyone with information should contact their closest police station, call Crime Stop on 08 600 10 111, or send an anonymous tip-off sms to Crime Line at 32211.

As a society, a province and a nation we can never allow such brazen attacks on those who have chosen to serve their communities and help protect us all.

Media Enquiries: 

Ewald Botha
Spokesperson
Cell: 079 694 1113