The recent death threats against security officers has prompted Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) head, Prem Balram, to send his staff for additional training and allow them to wear balaclavas to protect their identities when responding to crimes.
Balram told the POST the threats – made via telephone calls, SMS and WhatsApp - had rapidly increased since December.
“The threats were directed to officers who were instrumental in the arrest of suspected armed robbers, hijackers, scammers, fraudsters and murderers.
“The unidentified callers tell the officers they were going to be shot and killed. Our officers have also been warned to refrain from attending court for specific trials. One of the calls is believed to have been made from a prison in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Balram.
“Recently, we received two calls from private numbers, intimidating us about two females we had arrested. The environment was noisy. The caller was an Indian boy threatening us not to appear in court for the matter. He also told us to speak to the detective investigating the case and ask him not to object to bail.
“The next day, after the women appeared in court, we arrested two Indian men for threatening to shoot the detective outside the Verulam Magistrate’s Court. They were charged and released on bail. They were later found to be related to the suspects in custody,” Balram added.
He said in a separate incident: “A rape suspect had threatened me after we arrested him twice. The first time we arrested him, he was charged with the rape of his 10 year old step-daughter. He escaped from police custody, while receiving treatment at Osindisweni Hospital. But he was tracked by our team and re-arrested in Phoenix. The investigating officer testified in court during his bail application. He testified that the suspect had told him to inform the head of Rusa that his days were numbered. He said he would be out and would show me who I had messed with.”
He said several of his officers had to change their contact details because of the ongoing threats.
“Our investigation showed that the suspects got our personal information from officials. When dockets pass through the hands of people in multiple departments dealing with the crime, information can be picked up and shared. We found that threats had come from several suspects who were denied bail and remanded in custody in prisons throughout South Africa, while others have been granted bail. It has also been established that contact information provided by officers on statements of arrests and recoveries was shared with criminal elements and corrupt officials.
“The threats have been escalating and are becoming more concerning. This is largely due to the failure of criminals to corrupt Rusa members. Whenever members are offered money, they turn it down. They stick to statements and many of them have testified in court, making them targets,” he added.
Balram said over the years, 13 Rusa officers had been shot dead while on duty.
“My officers have now been given the option to conceal their identity and remove identity cards when dealing with criminals and during operations with SAPS. We also provided additional training and issued equipment to deal with threats and hostile situations.
“If an officer feels threatened, we place vehicles outside their homes to provide 24/7 security. We also provide transport for officers, so they do not have to use public transport, where they can be easily ambushed. We have also provided more ammunition and bullet proof jackets.
“We rely on early warning systems and electronic security to keep us safe. We have a team of main response officers to lend support if one of our members feels intimidated. I was offered an opportunity to armour my vehicle, but I will not give myself more protection than what my staff have. I cannot over protect myself and not do the same for my members,” he said.
He added despite the threats he would not be deterred from fighting crime and bringing criminals to book.