Crime expert criticised SAPS as not being proactive. Image: SAPS
Crime expert slams SA police as ‘not proactive’ after deadly day for suspects
Surge in police shootouts with suspects raises concerns, prompting a review of tactics and intelligence in combating crime effectively.
Crime expert criticised SAPS as not being proactive. Image: SAPS
A recent surge in shootouts between law enforcement and suspected criminals has sparked concerns over police tactics and intelligence-gathering methods for combating crime.
Crime and policing expert, Calvin Rafadi, speaking to Newzroom Afrika, highlighted the latest incident in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), where police shot and killed nine suspects in Desai, Mariannhill.
Crime Expert advocates proactive crime prevention
Rafadi emphasised the need for proactive measures, stating, “The police acted swiftly but were not proactive. Crime intelligence could have monitored the house and apprehended the criminals.”
Highlighting the complexity of such operations, Rafadi said, “Such operations are well-planned. The houses are well-monitored, and by the time you apprehend these criminals, you know who is trigger-happy at that house.”
He stressed the importance of targeted interventions rather than reactive responses.
Several incidents of police-suspected criminal shootouts
Since the beginning of the year, several incidents of police-suspected criminal shootouts have been reported by the South African Police Service.
Here are some of them:
- On Saturday, 13 January, a police captain lost his life during a shootout at a car wash in Kanyamazane.
- On 17 February, four suspects linked to the murders of a woman and her daughter in Inanda were fatally wounded in a shootout with police.
- A police sergeant sustained a bullet wound in a crossfire with three suspects in Dalasile on Tuesday, 20 February.
- Two suspected cash-in-transit robbers were shot and killed during a shootout with police in Umlazi on Wednesday, 22 February.
- Three suspected hitmen were shot and fatally wounded when they started a gunfight with police in Eshowe on Thursday afternoon, 21 March.
- On Thursday, 28 March, four suspects wanted for various violent crimes, including murder, were killed in a shootout with police in Cato Manor.
Another shootout unfolded today in Mpumalanga, echoing the KZN incident. An attempted cash-in-transit robbery occurred in Mpumalanga, Emalahleni.
The suspects’ whereabouts were gathered, leading to a residential “safe house.” While en route, three vehicles were spotted leaving.
The team encountered the suspects, resulting in a shootout with the police. Five suspects were fatally wounded, and unlicensed firearms were discovered.
Minister affirms zero-tolerance to criminals
According to SABC, Minister of Police Bheki Cele said they will not allow the country to be ruled by criminals. He made this statement when he visited the crime scene where six suspects were killed in a shootout with police early this year on 18 January.
Cele emphasised that while criminality seeks to advance, the police are actively pushing back, with some successes thus far.
