Be the first to act, use force proportional to threat: Cele tells Cops

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Police minister Bheki Cele has made a call to police officers across the country “to be the first to act when they have to use force proportional to the threat”.

Minister Cele was addressing hundreds of mourners and police officers at the funeral of sergeant Kediemetse Masilo in Schweizer Reneke, North West. 

Among those in attendance included the deputy minister in the presidency, Kenny Morolong, the MEC of community safety in the Northern Cape, Nomandla Bloem, national police commissioner general Fannie Masemola and the provincial commissioner of the Northern Cape, lieutenant general Koliswa Otola. 

Sergeant Masilo died earlier this week while tracing a stolen vehicle in Kimberley. She allegedly died at the hands of her perpetrator, 38-year-old Daniel Alberts who according to records is a repeat offender.

The perpetrator has already appeared before the Kimberley magistrate’s court on two counts of murder, three of robbery with aggravating circumstances, one of motor vehicle theft and one of theft. 

Minister Cele supported by the management of the South African Police Service(SAPS) and representatives of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) urged police officers not to hesitate to act. 

“Be vigilant and operationally ready to act in any circumstances. If force is required, it must at all times be necessary, reasonable and proportional. I plead with you don’t die with the resources and tools that we have given you”, said Minister Cele. 

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The funeral of constable Mandindi who died together with sergeant Masilo will be on Saturday, in Pampierstad, Northern Cape. 

Both members were attached to the Kimberley flying squad at the time of their death. 

Thirty-one police officers have died on and off duty in the last three months.