On the job safety for police in focus
Our police need more resources says CPF chairman
THE safety of police officers while conducting their daily duties came under the spotlight at a workshop in eSikhaleni on Tuesday.
Police officers from stations and units in the King Cetshwayo (uThungulu) Cluster attended in strong numbers, listening to a number of talks by provincial management on programmes designed around promoting the wellness of SAPS members and above all, continuously ensuring the safety of the men and women who tackle crime on the front lines.
In attendance were some of the top brass in the region and province, including uThungulu cluster commander Major General Bongamusa Zonde and KZN deputy police commissioner, Major General Nombulelo Ngembe.
While the campaign is focused on making officers more aware of their own safety and image and that of their team members, it also provided a platform for stakeholders to bring their concerns to the table.
‘Three stations in the uThungulu cluster are in the red,’ said uThungulu CPF chairman, Mtunzi Mthenjwa, referring to the latest crime statistics released late last month wherein increases in robbery, burglary and hijacking showed significant increases.
‘But the resources are lacking. We need more manpower in our stations. In Empangeni 14 vehicles are in the workshop.
‘While we as the CPF give our full support to the police, we must understand that criminals no longer care about the police.
‘The lack of resources needs urgent intervention.’
Some of the other topics under discussion were the wellness of officers, who were encourage to look after their health and maintain healthy diets.
The Zululand Observer previously reported that 22 policemen were killed in KZN between April 2015 and January 2016 – nine of them off duty at the time of their deaths.
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