The proposal has raised fears of a return to "apartheid-era policing", with officers having the right to shoot fleeing suspects in the back.
The change in tone has come with the appointment of a new national police commissioner, Bheki Cele, who has been called a "cowboy" with a penchant for pinstripe suits and panama hats.
The plain-speaking Cele has called for a change in legislation that would allow police to open fire on suspects without having to worry about "what happens after that".
South Africa considers 'shoot to kill' policing ahead of World Cup
The Guardian
September 16, 2009
