ICD: Killing robbers justified
2007-12-12 21:17
Johannesburg - The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) said on Wednesday the police action in which 11 would-be robbers were killed near Bel-Bela, had been justified.
On Tuesday, a crack police team opened fire on 12 men who were attempting to rob a Coin security van near the Carousel Casino on the R101.
Ten of the men died at the scene and another died on arrival at the hospital. The other man is in hospital.
No police officers or any member of the public were injured.
The ICD said it had visited the scene of the shoot-out and conducted a preliminary investigation.
"It was very clear that the deceased were indeed on a mission to rob a cash-in-transit vehicle of money," the ICD said.
Situation needed maximum force
"We have satisfied ourselves that the police employed maximum force that the situation necessitated - they were dealing with ruthless thugs - otherwise it would have been them and innocent law-abiding civilians lying dead at the scene of crime."
The ICD said the police officers' bravery was a clear indication that the country's law enforcement was serious about dealing with crime in order to protect the public.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has also applauded the "speedy and tough" police action.
"This operation showed that police will use maximum force to stop such ruthless attacks and we congratulate the brave policemen for putting their lives at risk to stop this large gang of armed thugs," said IFP spokesperson Velaphi Ndlovu.
"We are pleased that the police were not hesitant to fight fire with fire, because, clearly, this is the only language that hardened criminals understand," he said.
- SAPA