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The Office of the President would like to correct the false impression created in the media today, including the Citizen newspaper, about certain remarks that are alleged to have been made by the President regarding the matter of police members that have died in criminal circumstances.

The reports allege that the President has repudiated or contradicted the Deputy President by saying that he did not believe that police were involved in killing other policemen.

The views of the President and the Deputy President are the same on this matter. It is common knowledge that members of the SA Police Service have been either arrested or implicated in certain criminal incidents, the most publicised of which has been certain highway heists.

A number of these policemen have either appeared in court or are accused in quite prominent trials. It cannot be disputed that in some of these incidents, where policemen have either been arrested or implicated, other policemen or law enforcement agents have been killed or injured.

Both the President and the Deputy President are concerned about this situation, and whenever both of them have said that members of the police service have been implicated or are involved in killing others, they have always been referring to these specific incidents, which are well known.

Both President Mandela and Deputy President Mbeki have always paid tribute to the overwhelming majority of the members of the SAPS who carry their duties out with distinction.

It is because of the loyalty of the overwhelming majority of these men and women that we are destined to have an absolutely free and peaceful election next week.

Contact: Parks Mankahlana on 0825534569.

Issued by: Office of the President, 28 May 1999

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