The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has called for a national summit to urgently address the alarming rise in police killings across South Africa.

Speaking at Popcru’s Central Executive Committee meeting in Johannesburg on Wednesday, President Thulani Ngwenya expressed grave concern over the continued loss of law enforcement lives and the growing challenges within the country’s criminal justice system.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron says the increase in police killings is glaring evidence of the direct attack on the state by criminals.

“In the latest crime statistics released in May, 22 officers were killed between January and March 2025. It remains unacceptable that criminals are emboldened enough to raise their firearms at police officers. Attacks to police officers is intolerable, as their purpose and role in the society is to safeguard the society.”

Ngwenya says the issue has reached crisis levels, particularly as the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry continues to probe corruption and political interference in policing structures. He stressed that the safety and morale of police officers must be prioritised if South Africa hopes to curb violent crime effectively.

“When police defend themselves, they are called brutal. We are saying to the Minister: if you want solutions, come to Popcru and let us have a police summit. Let us discuss practical ways to defuse police killings in the country.”

He highlighted the increasing dangers officers face on duty, noting that many have become direct targets of criminals while serving in some of the most violent environments in the world.

“Police operate in a very violent society and have become the targets of ruthless criminals. These are men and women who leave their families every day to protect others and too often, they do not make it home.”

Ngwenya emphasised that beyond enforcement, systemic reforms are needed to ensure officers receive the training, psychological support, and institutional backing required to perform their duties safely.

Popcru says it hopes the proposed summit will bring together key stakeholders, including the South African Police Service, the Ministry of Police, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, and civil society to find lasting solutions to the crisis of police killings, while restoring confidence in the broader criminal justice system.