'Kill the criminals'

2008-04-10 07:03

Werner Wippenaar

Pretoria - Deputy Minister of Safety and Security Susan Shabangu said that residents should "kill" criminals, especially those who put lives in danger.

Shabangu was speaking at an imbizo at Elandspoort High School in Danville, west of Pretoria, on Wednesday.

After the media asked her for more clarity on her statement, Shabangu explained that South Africans should act more strictly towards criminals and not give them a chance to turn on innocent people.

"The police cannot calmly talk to criminals who shoot at them or wait until a police officer dies before reacting," she said.

Several members of the Danville, Hercules, Atteridgeville and Pretoria West communities had the opportunity to present their grievances and problems directly to police and government officials.

Details of complaints were taken at the imbizo and some of the matters, which ranged from problems with housing, to access for the disabled, and service delivery by police, were given attention.

- Beeld