Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has urged police officers to wear bulletproof vests at all times and to treat each case as serious.
|||Cape Town - Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has urged police officers to wear bulletproof vests at all times and to treat each case as serious.
This after Constable Dumile Thethani, 38, was fatally shot in the head and another constable wounded while on duty in Nyanga on Monday night. A woman of 74 and a man of 22 were also wounded.
“After a summit aimed at combating police killings held in 2011, police issued instructions about training, use of bulletproof vests and deployment mechanisms during crime call-outs. This was done based on our research which pointed out a lack of adherence to wearing of bulletproof vests,” Mthethwa said.
He said police were given more than enough vests as protection. “Each year we gather as police leadership and management to commemorate and remember fallen heroes who refused to be discouraged by actions of heartless criminals.
“It is not a pleasant occasion. Anyone who kills a police officer deserves a hefty punishment,” he said.
Mthethwa was asked whether it was not insensitive of him to raise the vest issue, especially since the constable had been fatally shot in the head, which a vest does not cover. His spokesman, Zweli Mnisi, said: “You are missing the point. The matter is under investigation, so why would we make a direct comment on the circumstances of the death pending an investigation?
“The minister utilised today’s statement to remind all police officers around the country to be alert at all times. There is nowhere in our statement where we say the deceased officer was killed because he was not wearing a bulletproof vest. We advocate for such messaging consistently, to encourage police members to wear bulletproofs at all times and to further treat each crime call-up as serious.”
Police spokesman FC van Wyk said Thethani, from Mthatha, died soon after admission to Vincent Pallotti Hospital with a head wound. He was the fourth officer killed in three months in the city.
The other policeman is recovering in hospital. He asked not to be named.
Van Wyk said the officers had stopped on the corner of Zwelitsha and Hlathe roads when they were shot.
“They stopped to search two suspicious-looking persons (who) started shooting without warning. The one officer was shot in the head, while his partner was shot in the hand and shoulder. A 74-year-old woman was also shot in the back and another man in the head,” he said.
EMS spokesman Darren Francis said a wounded resident transported to Groote Schuur Hospital was discharged early on Tuesday.
“The 22-year-old man had a head wound, but he was discharged.
A 74-year-old woman with the back injury is still in a stable condition,” he said.
Two suspects in Monday’s shooting who fled with an officer’s gun remained at large.
Van Wyk said anyone with information should call Crime Stop confidentially at 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line at 32211. Police may offer a reward for information.
barbara.maregele@inl.co.za
Cape Times