Eastern Cape Safety MEC, Helen Sauls-August, has called on all police members to protect themselves against gun-toting criminals who threaten their lives, by "shooting to kill."
Her call came in the wake of Monday's slaying of 33-year-old female constable, Thandiswa Bambiso and the wounding of her colleague, 35-year-old Nathaniel Mqina.
They were shot by an unknown number of gunmen while on patrol in Veeplaas, Port Elizabeth.
In a hard-hitting statement MEC Sauls-August said Monday's police killing comes just weeks after a policeman was shot dead in Peddie.
"In life threatening situations, we call on all our police officials in the province to defend themselves against criminals who threaten their lives. The loss of a police life is a serious set-back in our fight against crime as it endangers lives of our communities," says Helen Sauls-August.
"The murder of police officials affects morale of their colleagues whilst also traumatizing to their families. These deaths lead to uncertainity and feeling of insecurity within the police."
The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Celiwe Binta earlier visited the families of both the deceased police officer and the injured police officer to give her support, and later visited the crime scene in Sakuba Street, Veeplaas.
Lt General Celiwe Binta re-iterated that "we will leave no stone unturned in our investigations until the perpetrators are brought to book".
No arrests have been made as yet. Police are looking for anyone who can assist with the information which can lead to the arrest of the gunman/men to contact the nearest police station or Crime Stop 0860 10 111.
