Outgunned SAfrica police wary of using deadly force

By Michael Georgy

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - When Constable T. Mkhize patrols Johannesburg's inner-city, scores of drug dealers brazenly carry on with business a few feet from his vehicle.

After President Jacob Zuma's new orders for police to shoot to kill if needed in order to make South Africa safe for next year's World Cup, the officer may get more respect from criminals.

But the policy could backfire against a police force already battling perceptions that it is too incompetent and corrupt to take control of some of the world's most violent streets before an estimated 500,000 soccer fans arrive for the tournament.

"People will just be afraid of us. They will think the police will just go around shooting anyone," said Mkhize, whose huge frame and scary frown don't seem to be a bonus in his job.

"We need the public's trust more than anything."

Police find improving their image hard enough without the added pressure of making sure crime does not spoil the World Cup, an event South Africans hope will bring their country international prestige as well as millions of tourist dollars.

Although Zuma has told senior police officials from across South Africa he was not encouraging a trigger-happy police force, he made it clear officers should become far more energetic.

Finding that balance may prove difficult for police who lack the resources to do their job properly but are still expected to take down murderers, carjackers, and rapists that have made South Africa synonymous crime.