Cabinet condemns police spats

Collins Chabane

Collins Chabane

Published May 5, 2012

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Cabinet condemned the ongoing public spat between senior police officers, including the head of crime intelligence Richard Mdluli.

And ordinary police officers and detectives are so ashamed of their warring top management that they are embarrassed to wear their uniforms.

Yesterday performance monitoring minister Collins Chabane said the public spats among police bosses did not enhance government efforts to fight crime in the country.

“Cabinet calls on the South African Police (Service) not to be distracted from fighting crime and (to) ensure law and order are maintained in the country.”

Chabane said the Cabinet expressed serious concern about the reported high-level cases of crime and police officers involved in wrongdoing. This, he said, was damaging the confidence and trust people should have in the safety and security of the country.

But Chabane’s words have come as little comfort to the ordinary policemen and women whose daily duties are to prevent crime.

Johan Burger, senior researcher with the Institute for Security Studies, described the Mdluli saga as “ridiculous”.

The controversial crime intelligence boss, who is tipped to become SA’s next police commissioner, was embroiled in a long list of allegations including murder, fraud and corruption.

Last year Mdluli faced charges relating to alleged misuse of a crime intelligence fund, the purchase of luxury vehicles and the hiring of family members.

He also faced a charge for the alleged murder of the boyfriend of a former girlfriend. Both sets of charges have been withdrawn. The murder charge became an inquest.

Burger said dozens of officers were “embarrassed to put on their uniforms and go out in public. They are ashamed to be associated with the SA police because of the criminal activity and corruptness of their bosses.

“The officers have absolutely no confidence in their top structures and this ultimately hampers their willingness and ability to carry out their daily duties,” Burger said.

Meanwhile the General Council of the Bar said it noted with extreme concern the recent spate of thefts from, and harassment of, advocates.

“There appears to be a pattern. The perpetrators appear not to be ordinary criminals.

“They stole laptops and information, leaving other valuables untouched,” said GC Pretorius, chairman of the General Council of the Bar of SA. -Independent on Saturday

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