JOHANNESBURG - Violent crime in South Africa is on an upward trend.
There have been numerous shootouts between suspected criminals and law enforcement agencies.
READ: CRIME IN SA | CELE SAYS POLICE SHOULD FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE WHEN UNDER ATTACK
The police's heavy-handed approach in responding to suspected criminals is receiving mixed reactions.
Criminologist Kholofelo Rakubu says the Criminal Procedure Act must be amended to protect officers.
"We need to attend to gun violence and have a gun violence strategy that should be very particular and strengthening of the criminal justice system and dealing with the long-standing issue resource issues, proper training," she said.