Hon Speaker, the shoot-to-kill encouragement to police, began by hon Susan Shabangu during her stint as the Deputy Minister of Safety and Security, has claimed its first innocent victim. The Minister of Police and the hon President must also fully share the blame as they have repeated this irresponsible call for police to shoot to kill.
A woman was killed and two others were wounded in Mabopane on Sunday when members of the flying squad shot at a car which they alleged did not stop when ordered to do so. The President and his Minsters are in this instance usurping the right of Parliament to make laws. They are also actively inciting the police to ignore section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act and to murder at their discretion.
Citizens harassed and tormented by criminals might understandably think that government is on the right path here. This is not so. This is only irresponsible chauvinism. It is always through small and seemingly innocuous steps that the subversion of the Constitution begins. The ANC is putting our country on a slippery slope to perdition. Cope most definitely demands action against criminals, but only through legal means. The executive cannot make its own laws. This will lead to a constitutional crisis. We cannot afford that, and we must not allow it.
Finally, we wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the next of kin of the slain woman. This House must hold government accountable for encouraging members of the police to act outside the Constitution and the law. I thank you. [Applause.]