DA Condemns SA Police Minister’s “Crush Their Balls” Speech

The DA has condemned South African Police Minister Fikile Mbalula’s comments made at the Pretoria West Police Academy on Friday which they say encourage “police brutality and impunity”.

Whilst addressing the police’s specialised Tactical Response Team on the importance of cracking down on South Africa’s high crime rate and catching criminals, Mbalula didn’t hold back.

“We must squeeze them. When they’ve got balls‚ we must crush them,” he said.

“Even if you do not have a warrant of arrest‚ slap them. Break the law progressively and let me worry about court cases.”

Diane Kohler Barnard, Shadow Deputy Minister of Police, said Mbalula was encouraging impunity and assuring police that he would help them avoid the repercussions.

She said his comments were “disgraceful” and “deeply concerning and irresponsible”, especially since he was addressing the South African Police Service (SAPS) officers in his official capacity… and particularly considering the findings of Stats South Africa’s Victims of Crime Survey which revealed a distinct distrust of SAPS officers by victims of crime.

“The DA calls on Mbalula to apologise for his inappropriate, juvenile comments and demand that he takes a strong line against police brutality,” she said.

Bad sportsmen also to blame for crime…

During his speech Mbalula also called on Bafana Bafana and the Springboks to make their country proud, inferring that happy people would be less likely to engage in crime. He told the Boks “your 57-0 loss to New Zealand has increased crime in South Africa”… and pleaded with Bafana Bafana to win because “we need happiness”.

Watch SA Police Minister Fikile Mbalula’s no holds barred speech

WATCH: @MbalulaFikile today in Pretoria… pic.twitter.com/exreSJMsbw

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) September 29, 2017