Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has expressed concern about SAPS members committing heinous crimes.
A few years ago, it was revealed that more than 1500 police officers have criminal records ranging from rape, murder and more heinous crimes.
Currently, police watchdog, Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), is investigating several police officers who were caught on the wrong side of the law.
“We are aware of some criminals amongst ourselves in the SAPS. We arrested seven police who are criminals. They have already been charged with the crime. We are going to charge them internally and they will undergo that process. I don’t want to say what the outcome will be, but the outcome is written on the wall,” said Mchunu.
He also added that some police officers in eThekwini worked the night shift and went out in the morning to perpetrate crimes while still in their uniforms. Eventually, in the afternoon, they were cornered and shot; one died at the scene, while the other was taken to hospital.
In Cato Manor, KwaZulu-Natal, police Constable Minenhle Makhaye is expected back in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on October 14 for bail consideration.
Makhaye was nabbed on October 4 with a bank card belonging to a hijack victim, Shaida Ramsamy. He was allegedly using her card to purchase alcohol after little Zuri Ramsamy was run over and killed in Malvern last month. He was also found in possession of 105 bank cards.
He appeared in court on Monday facing charges of possession of suspected stolen property, theft, fraud, and charges relating to tampering with a crime scene.
KZN Provincial spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said: “When the hijacked vehicle was recovered in the Cato Manor area, the same constable was called upon to drive the vehicle to Malvern. It was during that time that the constable got hold of the bank card and stole it.”
Meanwhile, seven police officers from Diepkloof SAPS were each granted bail of R3 000, after they appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on charges of murder, torture, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and housebreaking and theft.
Last week, Sergeant Phillip Machaba, 41, Constable Josephine Baloyi, 31, Constable Thobani Mkhwanazi, 30, Constable Thulani Hlatshwayo, 36, Constable Tshepo Chokoe, 36, Constable Andile Keto, 33, and Constable Tulalethu Madwantsi, 36, were arrested by IPID for an incident that happened on January 20, 2023.
IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said on the day of the incident, the police allegedly received information of a person dealing in drugs at a certain house in Marthinus Smuts Drive, Diepkloof, and they went to the house.
Shuping said the officers found Nkosinathi Dlamini and Simphiwe Dlamini at the gate, and allegedly assaulted them. Six police officers then proceeded into the house while one officer stood guard at the gate.
He said the officers found Sfiso Dlamini, 41, in the house and allegedly assaulted him severely. He later succumbed to his injuries. The police officers allegedly stole a sum of R2 000 found in the house.
“IPID investigated the matter and the docket was handed over to the senior prosecutor for a decision. The senior prosecutor decided that all seven police officers should be charged for murder, torture, two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and housebreaking and theft,” said Shuping.
The case was postponed to November 1 for the officers to be provided with the indictment.
The South African Policing Union (SAPU) in Gauteng said it stands firm on following procedure on all criminal allegations as they are greatly disappointed by the arrest of seven police officers in Johannesburg.
“We call on the provincial commissioner to ensure that this is a fair investigation that will not subject the accused members to victimisation up until the court makes a verdict on the matter,” said Sapu Gauteng Provincial Secretary Jabu Mabaso.
“As Sapu, we stand firm that the law must take its course and the members must be tried as there are serious allegations against them.”
According to Mabaso, the country’s citizens feel concerned when members of the SAPS are charged with such crimes because police are supposed to serve and protect.
“But we say let us allow the processes to unfold and not subject them to a trial on the media of the alleged members. As Sapu Gauteng, we welcome means of curbing crime and putting those that do crime to book as it is a principle we uphold when coming to any involvement in criminality also on giving the law and processes space to unfold on each case,” he said.
Mabaso continued, saying that although they have stated that they will not tolerate corruption, they also have a duty to safeguard the interests of their members and make sure that the proper procedures are followed in order to reach the proper decision in this case.
The Star