7th December 2009

Once again Julius Malema's fiery words threaten to ignite trouble. 

Speaking at Ilembe yesterday, Malema encouraged the police to shoot to kill criminals. The IFP is concerned by the irresponsibility of this instruction, which we have questioned before.

"We are putting our police men and women in a terribly vulnerable position," said Velaphi Ndlovu, IFP Spokesperson on Police. "The law offers no protection to officers who shoot innocent people, believing them to be criminals. How are our police meant to determine in the heat of the moment who is a criminal?"

Legislation has not yet been changed to allow a "shoot to kill"  policy. It is important that officers understand that they do not have license to engage in lethal action in any situation, without first firing warning shots and without attempting to determine the facts of the situation.

"It is grossly irresponsible to suggest that our police should do something the law does not allow them to do," said Ndlovu. "In the end, it is the officers themselves who will suffer, because the law does not protect them. In addition, the families of innocent victims will suffer."

For the sake of the safety and security of all South Africans, the IFP calls on Malema to be more circumspect in his public statements.