Conviction of Criminals Responsible for Murdering Police Officer Welcomed

Media Release by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety

The guilty verdict handed down in court this week to the murderers of Constable Xolisa Banga must be welcomed by all in our society.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) put their lives on the line to protect the citizens of this province and country and some of those officers die carrying out their duties. We should all support our police officers who often work under very difficult circumstances.

Constable Banga was shot and killed in March 2012 while she was on duty. The arrest and conviction of the criminals responsible for taking Constable Banga’s life will not bring her back, but it will send a strong message to anyone else thinking about killing our police officers, and will hopefully provide a small measure of comfort to her friends, family and colleagues.

If members of the public would like to share their positive policing stories or compliments for police officers they can do so by emailing safer@westerncape.gov.za or phone our 24/7 hotline on 021 483 4332. The same hotline can be used should members of the public have any concerns about policing in their area.