ZAMEKOMSTE - The MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison in Limpopo has urged the community to "say enough is enough against crime and expose all criminals in order to stop police killings."

In her address during the funeral service of Insp. Dovhani Norman Makatu (39), last Saturday, MEC Dikeledi Magadzi said that anyone who attacks a police officer is undermining the government. Makatu, who was attached to Mara Police Station, was shot twice in head and chest at his home in Zamenkomste Trust Farm, while he was trying to inspect a stolen Caravelle on Wednesday, two weeks ago. The suspects, who visited Makatu's home with the intention of making a phone call, put his body into the car and drove off with it.

After a task team was established, two suspects, Lucky Makhokha (30) of Muduluni and Justice Rivombo (23) were arrested on Friday. They led police to a bridge from which they had dumped Makatu's body.

Makhokha was arrested in Atteridgeville while Rivombo was arrested in Miduluni. The third suspect, who is believed to be Makhokh's younger brother, is still at large.

The two suspects have already appeared in court twice and have been denied bail. Magadzi said the community should respond to the call made during Tuesday's summit of taking a stand against the killing of police. She said the community must not allow police officers to be "killed like chickens." Magadzi also urged the community to stop buying stolen goods, stolen cars, car parts and even a small thing like a packet of sugar, as they lead to such serious crimes.

She also pledged the Department's support to Makatu's wife, Christina, and her three children Ntavhanyeni (21), Phindulo (10) and Mukona, who is only three-years-old.

The Popcru leader in the province, Nthatheni Mabusha, said they were against corrupt police officers who also collude with criminals like the killers of Makatu. Provincial commissioner, Calvin Sengani, said the Police were not going to be threatened by a minority of criminals.

Makatu was born on June 1, 1963. He joined the South African Police in April 1988 and was trained at Hammanskraal before he started working in a division for crowd management control in Pretoria.

He then worked in a number of places around the country until when he was transferred to Mara, where he worked in the Crime Prevention Unit at the logistics section until his death.

Makatu, who was described as a dedicated and loyal member of the SAPS, was also a community builder who started cricket and soccer teams in his area.