A group of disgruntled former police officers in the Vaal, Gauteng, have accused provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Mzwandile Petros of being “arrogant, a dictator and an autocratic leader who has become law unto himself”.
This is contained in a memorandum presented by the former police officers in their capacity as concerned community members from the Vaal area, to Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko on Friday.
The memorandum was accepted by Department of Community Safety official Solomon Maila, on behalf of the MEC.
Petros is accused of nepotism, intimidation of staff members, irregularity in the procurement process for the provincial war room, among other things.
Gauteng police spokesman Brigadier Neville Malila strongly denied the allegations and labelled those who submitted the memorandum as “individuals with personal agendas”.
“It is hoped that these individuals are not criminal elements who are hoping to destabilise Gauteng and undermine the excellent work that is being done by members of the South African Police Service in the province,” Malila said.
The memo alleged that, “Western Cape/Eastern Cape officers appointed to senior ranks in Gauteng are friends and family members of Lieutenant General Petros”.
Malila said the allegations were defamatory in nature and legal advice was being sought on how to proceed in the matter. - Gcwalisile Khanyile