Minister: 'A black cloud fell on June'
2006-06-29 13:14
Johannesburg - Deputy minister of safety and security Susan Shabangu broke down on Thursday as she addressed a memorial service for the four policemen killed in the Jeppestown siege.
"Violence is depleting families," she sobbed as a policewoman supported her on the stage and rubbed her arm in comfort. "Every child needs both parents... How do these women who are here today explain to their children...
"How are they going to mentor and explain to the young boys...
"I must say to the families: hold on, be strong, hold on and help us fight this crime. We can't go on and we can't afford it."
She said June was once again a sad month for the country.
"Once more in this country during the June month a black cloud fell... as it fell in 1976. But today it fell in a different way.
"It fell when our country was facing a different struggle... when our country is facing crime."
She said the country could no longer afford to be sympathetic to criminals and urged families and communities to root them out.
"These criminals are members of our families, they are our brothers and sisters... What are we doing about it? How are we co-operating with the police?"
She told police officers gathered at Roodepoort's Little Falls Christian Centre on the West Rand: "Don't hesitate to retaliate when you are confronted by violence in our country.
"There is no way you can continue by compromising your lives to the threat of crime in our country."
She said the law was on the policemen's side and they had the full support of the ministry of safety and security.
The four policemen who died in a fierce gun battle with robbers at a house in Jeppestown in central Johannesburg are: Inspectors Frederick "Frikkie" van Heerden, 32, and Nzama Victor Mathye, 49, both of the West Rand dog unit; Sergeant Gert Schoeman, 30, of the West Rand emergency response service; and Constable Peter Francois Seaward, 31, of the Johannesburg dog unit.
Police will not panic
The public owes gratitude to the families of the dead policemen, Gauteng MEC for community safety and liaison Firoz Cachalia added.
Cachalia urged the public to support and encourage policemen.
"The police service has the capacity to act with whatever force necessary to prevent crime. No mercy needs to be shown where no mercy is deserved."
He said police would not panic when dealing with violent crime.
Cachalia said the incident should be a turning point in the history of the fight against crime.
- SAPA