EC's Community Safety Dept tells police to defend themselves when attacked by criminals

CAPE TOWN - Eastern Cape's Department of Community Safety is calling on police not to hesitate to defend themselves when under attack from criminals.

This comes after a 35-year-old alleged extortionist was shot and killed in a shootout with police at Ngqeleni near Mthatha on Sunday.

He is the fourth alleged extortion suspect killed by police after three others were shot and killed in Mthatha in September.

Provincial police spokesperson, Makhaya Komisa, said officials were seeking a second suspect who managed to escape during the shootout.

Komane said the two suspects have been terrorising the community of Canzibe in the Ngqeleni area.

"Police must not hesitate to defend themselves when brazen criminals draw their guns and attack them. As the provincial government, we continue to call on criminals to be law-abiding citizens or face the full mighty of the law."