KwaDukuza traffic officers cite safety concerns after colleague's murder
Last week, Superintendent Desmond Arumugam was shot and killed in the line of duty.
KwaZulu-Natal traffic officials check a vehicle. Picture: @KZNTransport/X
JOHANNESBURG - Traffic officers in KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) say it’s been difficult reporting for duty since the passing of their colleague, citing safety concerns.
Last week, Superintendent Desmond Arumugam was shot and killed in the line of duty.
A 27-year-old man has been arrested for his murder and has since appeared before court.
READ: Man accused of killing KwaDukuza traffic cop abandons bail application
Arumugam’s colleagues said the incident left them fearing for their lives.
On Wednesday, KwaDukuza Local Municipality officers gathered outside the magistrates court, in support of their slain colleague.
This is the second incident in two years, as another superintendent was shot and killed while issuing a fine to a motorist.
Officers said while they will not stop reporting for duty they feel unsafe.
KwaDukuza municipality’s director for Community Safety, Moses Faya: “We will continue to do our work with the focus to ensure that we fulfil the mandate that we are tasked to fulfil on the ground, but if we are going to be killed like this - it is really causing a sense of fear, but we are regrouping.”
Faya said officers would also advance their tactical training for the safety of officers.