ALLEGED criminals will soon find themselves listed on a criminal database.
This was revealed in a statement released on behalf of KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Willies Mchunu yesterday following his appearance in Imbali this weekend.
Mchunu was addressing SAPS station commissioners, community policing forum (CPF) chairpersons and co-ordinators from 183 provincial police stations.
Mchunu encouraged all communities to help develop the lists and forward them to the police so investigations can take place.
The database will be developed by all CPF chairpersons and once it is drawn up, it will be submitted to local police stations, who will then conduct thorough and diligent investigations.
The SAPS provincial commissioner’s office will then monitor the database and the MEC’s office will play an oversight role.
“I have been a victim of crime myself … It hurts to be a victim of crime. After experiencing crime, and its aftermath, I have come to the conclusion that not only do I hate crime, but, in fact I hate criminals,” said Mchunu.
He said it is deplorable that there are instances where CPF members and police officers are heard shouting “anti-crime rhetoric” during the day, yet at night could be seen “flirting” with criminals. “These people need to be exposed, isolated, and thrown into jail without delay,” said Mchunu.
He also said people should guard against misconstruing the “shoot to kill” message.
“We have not advocated for a trigger-happy police force. However, our message is very simple and clear — police officers, while in pursuance of their duties, cannot ask criminals ‘hey you! What are you doing drawing a gun at me?’ — it just cannot be, they must defend themselves,” he said.
