GOOD press statement by Suzette Little,
GOOD: City of Cape Town Councillor
18 March 2022
GOOD notes the 10-year sentence of Morne Horn who was found guilty of murdering a fellow police officer who was undercover on Long Street in January 2020.
In handing down judgment at the Western Cape High Court, Judge Matthew Francis rejected Horn’s defence that he thought his life was in danger. He asserted that, as a trained law enforcement officer, Horn knew that he should only use his gun as a last resort.
While the wheels of justice may turn slowly, we are satisfied that justice was served in this case.
However, the irony is not lost on us that those charged with preserving our safety are increasingly becoming those against whom we need protecting.
In January this year Cape Town law enforcement officers shot a homeless man in the face after responding to a complaint.
There was a scuffle over the dousing of the fire, at which point a homeless person was shot in the face by a law enforcement officer.
Shooting someone dead over a pot of food also, once again, underscores deplorable victimisation of homeless people in our towns and cities.
Real crime-prevention and crime-fighting are not achieved by under-trained, unaccountable enforcement – which bears the hallmarks of vigilantism. Crime fighting requires lawfulness, discipline, training and accountability.
Media enquiries:
Suzette Little, GOOD: City of Cape Town Councillor
Cell: 073 321 5036
Email: suzettel@forgood.org.za
Samkelo Mgobozi, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 079 231 5977 (whatsapp) / 082 968 4021 (calls)
Email: samm@forgood.org.za