Mashatile makes clarion call against ‘senseless killing of police officers’

JOHANNESBURG - Deputy President Paul Mashatile has raised the alarm over the country’s high levels of organised crime, warning that it continues to claim the lives of police officers.

He was speaking at the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Commemoration Day.

The event, held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sunday, honoured officers who died in the line of duty.

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Mashatile noted that some of these crimes have directly led to the deaths of several men and women in blue.

With grieving families and SAPS top brass in attendance, the deputy president called on officers to remain resolute and never surrender to criminal elements.

“Drug trafficking syndicates, gangs and other forms of organised crime represent an urgent and growing challenge in South Africa. The killing of Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni, who was shot and killed by more than seven armed robbers at a store in Schoemansdal, Mpumalanga, on Friday, 08 August 2025, is but one example of the many senseless killings of our police officers.”