‘Cop killings should be deemed a national disaster’

Sapu has condemned the murder of a Limpopo cop and said “the continued killing of the men and women in blue in SA has reached an unacceptable level”.

Cape Town - The South African Policing Union (Sapu) on Tuesday condemned the murder of a police officer in Ritavi, Limpopo.

Sapu wants government intervention after Jan Homu, a 52-year-old warrant officer and member of the Ritavi South African Police Service (SAPS) was murdered while he responded to a burglary report on Saturday.

“The continued killing of the men and women in blue in South Africa has reached an unacceptable level,” said the union’s second vice-president Thabo Matsose.

“Sapu calls upon President Jacob Zuma as the commander-in-chief of all armed forces in the Republic to declare police killings a national disaster. The merciless killing of our police officials needs the attention of the highest office in the land.”

In his plea for government assistance, Matsose said police officers were not just there to protect communities but were also part of the State apparatus. Despite this, said Matsose, it appeared police killings were of little concern to the State.

“Sapu calls for drastic measures to curb the brutal killings of police officials in our country. We are of the firm view that the killing of police officials is not given the necessary attention it deserves,” said Matsose.

“It is a painful reality that our members are on their own. We have not heard any word of condemnation from the minister of police and the acting national police commissioner.”

Matsose said Sapu also wanted to “send heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased officer”.

“We share their pain,” he said.

African News Agency