General Masemola Warns Violent Criminals of the Dangers of Confronting Police Authority and Power
Johannesburg – The police have dismissed accusations of being “trigger-happy” and have issued a stern warning to violent criminals that they will encounter the full force of the law.
In response to criticism on Tuesday, (25 March 2025), the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, expressed strong support for police officers acting with the “authority and power vested in them in the ongoing battle against crime.”
He stated that there have been “numerous incidents across various provinces where heavily armed and dangerous criminals blatantly flout the law, commit atrocious crimes, and subsequently engage in life-threatening shootouts with the police.”
Last year, following the deaths of nine suspected criminals in gunfights with police in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), constitutional law expert Pierre de Vos expressed concern regarding the heavy-handed approach of the police.
De Vos pointed out that while police have the right to defend themselves, it does not excuse the indiscriminate killing of civilians who may or may not have been accurately identified as suspects.
Media reports indicated that in 2024, over 120 alleged criminals were shot and killed during confrontations with police in KZN.
Additionally, many other suspects have lost their lives in shootouts with police in different provinces.
Nonetheless, General Masemola on Tuesday, (25 March 2025), cautioned: “As long as criminals continue to attack police officers, the police will respond decisively, empowered by the relevant legislation that governs their operations.”
“The police have observed with concern the statements issued in defense of criminals and the troubling silence that follows when police officers, along with community members, who are often innocent bystanders, are killed in the line of duty.”
General Masemola referenced Section 205 of the South African Constitution, which mandates the SAPS to prevent, investigate, and combat crime, maintain public order, protect citizens and their property, and uphold and enforce the law.
“Since 1 April 2024, 21 police officers have been killed while performing their duties,” lamented General Masemola.
“This alarming statistic urges community members and civil society to unite with the police in the fight against life-threatening criminal activity.”
“It is the duty of the police to assert the authority of the state and maintain law and order.”
General Masemola cautioned that “any acts of lawlessness and open attacks” on police and community members at crime scenes will be “appropriately addressed by competent members of the SAPS.”
He affirmed that police officers nationwide continue to operate efficiently and effectively in combatting crime.
General Masemola revealed that since the launch of the high-density Operation Shanela, over 1.2 million individuals have been arrested for a variety of offenses, including murder, attempted murder, rape, and aggravated robbery, among others.
Community members are encouraged to report criminal activities to their nearest police station, Crime Stop at 08600 10111, the National Extortion Hotline at 0800 911 011, or submit an anonymous tip-off via the MySAPS APP.