Wounded CT cop may have been targeted

A police officer shot and wounded in Mitchells Plain may have been targeted, this according to Mitchell's Plain police.

The policeman was shot at a petrol station in Rocklands and was rushed to the nearest hospital.

Mitchells Plain cops say the off-duty officer was filling his car at a fuel station on the corner of Cedars Avenue and Boshof Way when he was shot by an unknown attacker.

Police suspect it was a pre-meditated and deliberate attack, because the officer was in civilian clothes at the time.

The policeman was shot in the face and was rushed to hospital. He is in a critical condition.

So far no arrests have been made and police are hunting a single gunman.

ORGANISATION CAUTIONS AGAINST COPS URGED TO USE SHOOT TO KILL

Meanwhile, as the number of police officers killed this year increases Lawyers for Human Rights have warned against reckless rhetoric from politicians who have urged the police to take a tough stance on suspected criminals.
Another police officer was gunned down this morning in Orange Farm bringing to nearly 60 the number of members murdered since January.

President Jacob Zuma said earlier this week government might have to re-look at the law in terms of how police officers are allowed to use deadly force to defend themselves.

Deputy Police Minister Maggie Sotyu told mourning police officers at a memorial this week to defend themselves at all costs.

“That firearm that has been given to you to defend yourselves and leave the rest to the politicians.”

Lawyers for Human Rights attorney Clare Ballard says such rhetoric is not helpful.

“It moves the public further away from understanding first of all criminal general factors in our society and second what are appropriate measures to take against crime. We know that, that type of rhetoric has never aided us in the fight against crime.”

Police managers have established a task team to intensify efforts to ensure the safety of their members.