Police must ‘hit hard’ against criminality during festive season

Police Minister General Bheki Cele has called on law enforcement to step up their efforts to squeeze out criminality during this festive season.

The Minister was speaking the launch on Friday of the National Safer Festive Season operations.

“South Africans and all our visitors maintain a proper to appreciate life, gain a correct to indulge in the festive season. Produce sure that these South Africans, wherever they are, whether they are in the malls, whether they are in their houses, whether they are on the beaches, whether they are out dancing…wherever they are, manufacture sure that they are safe.

“Give criminals a rush for their money. Design sure that criminals are squeezed,” he said.

Cele gave criminals a stern warning that police will “hit hard”.

“There are criminals who want to co-govern with the people that are elected. You are not going to crawl around breaking into people’s houses, robbing people, raping people, going for cash heists, bank robberies and you believe…that we won’t execute anything.

“I’m calling on those police officers who are given the responsibility to deal with those heartless criminals – that reflect they race the world and the country – don’t be kind to them. Hit and hit hard. Criminals maintain declared war against communities and society. I’m making a call to those police…to protect the communities,” he said.

Cele called on communities to work with the police to root out criminality.

“Don’t shroud those criminals among yourselves because they will afflict you. As you protect that criminal, tomorrow he’s coming back for you,” he said.

The Minister also called on the police to enact their job within the bounds of the law.

The festive season operations maintain already scored a victory after Western Cape police seized R75 million worth of counterfeit goods and R200 000 in cash at a shopping centre in Cape Town. – SAnews.gov.za