The Minister of Police Bheki Cele has made a call to police officers across the country “to be the first to act when they have to use force proportional to the threat”.
Cele was addressing hundreds of mourners and police officers at the funeral of Sergeant Kediemetse Masilo in Schweizer Reneke, North West.
Sergeant Masilo and a fellow officer died earlier last week while tracing a stolen vehicle in Kimberley.
RELATED: Two police officers killed in Kimberley
She allegedly died at the hands of her perpetrator, 38-year-old Daniel Alberts who according to records is a repeat offender.
[TODAY] The @SAPoliceService family gathers in their collective grief to bid #FinalSalute to Sgt Masilo who was shot and killed alongside her partner Constable Madindi in Kimberley this week. The member has been described as dedicated & passionate about protecting her community. pic.twitter.com/W8yDE7Bycb
— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) August 27, 2023
Alberts has already appeared before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on two counts of murder, three of robbery with aggravating circumstances, one of motor vehicle theft and one of theft.
Thirty one police officers have died on and off duty in the last three months.
Cele has urged police officers not to hesitate to act against criminals who threaten their lives and the lives of others.
“Be vigilant and operationally ready to act in any circumstances. If force is required, it must at all times be necessary, reasonable and proportional. I plead with you don’t die with the resources and tools that we have given you”.
The funeral of Constable Mandindi, who died together with Sergeant Masilo, will take place on Saturday, 02 September in Pampierstad, Northern Cape.
Both members were attached to the SAPS Kimberley Flying Squad at the time of their death.
A commemoration of the police officers who died in the line of duty in the 2022/2023 financial year will also be held next week Sunday on 03 September, at the Union Buildings.
#sapsNC Northern Cape #SAPS pays tribute to fallen members, to the late Sergeant Masilo and Constable Mandindi, during an emotional memorial service, held today at the Kimberley SAPS Gymnasium. #FinalSalute #SelflessAndPatrioticService #PoliceKillings MEhttps://t.co/YEeMYqVA7s pic.twitter.com/crw6ExzEMa
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 24, 2023
Between April and June this year, police recorded 6 228 counts of murder in South Africa.
This was 196 less people killed compared to the same time last year. Out of the 6 228 people killed during April to June, 1 188 were women and children.
RELATED: SA records a decrease in murder rate
