Calls to stop police attacks
An urgent call has been made for Parkwood residents to remain calm and refrain from attacking police officers on duty.
The Grassy Park Community Policing Forum have yet again called on the community to stop attacks on police and to work with them instead. The appeal was made at the memorial service of slain police officer Ashwin Pedro who was shot and killed in Blackbird Avenue, Parkwood, on Thursday December 1 (Family mourns the death of ‘sweet and gentle soul’, Southern Mail, December 7).
The Constable was responding to a complaint in Parkwood and was trying to arrest a man when he was shot. The accused appeared in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court last week.
CPF chairperson, Melvyn Jonkers said residents attacked officers and caused damage to police vehicles during an arrest in another incident over the weekend.
“We cannot allow officers to be attacked while executing their duties and responsibilities. We strongly condemn the killing of Constable Pedro as well as further attacks on police. Our officers are paying the ultimate price and Constable Pedro lost his life trying to serve the community of Parkwood,” said Mr Jonkers.
Reagan Allen, the provincial minister of community safety and police oversight, who spoke at the memorial service said criminals have broken the fabric of communities.
“Any person that is directly attacking the state by attacking officers must face the full might of the law and bail should never be granted because there should be a clear message that it should not be condoned,” said Mr Allen.
He added that communities need to make sure that police members are protected.
“These officers are getting up in the morning, putting on their uniforms but they don’t know if they will go back home. We need to make sure that our SAPS members are protected while in service. We need to work together and any community member who is interfering or stopping police from doing their jobs should also be dealt with.”
Western Cape Police Commissioner Tembisile Patekile concurred and said that one life lost on duty is one too many. He encouraged residents to work with police instead of against them and said the police service will not be intimidated by brazen gangsters.
“Gangs don’t have the authority, the state has the authority and we will continue to do so with dignity and with professionalism. We will not be deterred,” said
He also encouraged members to continue to to fulfil their duties to the best of their ability.
“An injury to one is an injury to all but let’s continue to be the protector of communities.”
Grassy Park station commander, Colonel Dawood Laing, said: “Constable Pedro was killed in Parkwood. Earlier in the year Abongile Mafalala was attacked and now we are still being attacked. It needs to end because we cannot tolerate it any longer.”