'Loss of one member is one too many' especially as elections approach, says KZN police top brass

TONGAAT - KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police have expressed concern over the impact police killings may have on their security efforts as elections fast approach.

This after the killing of one of their own Sergeant Sibongiseni Khoza who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Good Friday.

Khoza and his two colleagues were responding to a call of a gunman shooting randomly when he was shot in the head.

READ: Police pay last respects to KZN colleague slain in the line of duty 

KwaZulu-Natal police say they are under-resourced and in need of each member of the force, and with next month’s polls drawing closer, police in the province say they cannot afford to lose more officers.

“We don’t have sufficient members and human resources so a loss of one member is one too many currently we are approaching the election period where we need enough members to man voting stations, protect communities and fight crime. Losing one member dampens the spirit," said Deputy Provincial Commissioner Phumelele Makhoba.

Meanwhile, Police Minister Bheki Cele urged police to protect each other and defend themselves when facing criminals.

He added that he would rather answer for killed criminals than bury police officers.

The Police Ministry is set to convene an imbizo looking at the criminal elements plaguing the west of Durban this month.

This follows escalating reports of house break-ins, rapes, robberies and murders.

Last week, the community of Mariannhill woke up to a deadly incident where police shot and killed nine suspected criminals

Cele said communities near Mariannhill have called for the imbizo to address their concerns, with urgent crime prevention measures to be implemented following the meeting.

Speaking to Eyewitness News on the sidelines of Khoza's funeral, Cele said: “It does look like we’ve chosen the 14th of this month [April] to go back there, not necessarily the Desai community but the community of west of Durban."

Cele has in the meantime urged police not to hesitate to fight criminals who target them in the line of duty.