Leave issue sparks war of words

A war of words has erupted following a call for an investigation into the Jeppe SAPS commander’s leave.

The Democratic Alliance constituency head in Johannesburg East, MPL Jack Bloom, recently said the Jeppe SAPS commander Brigadier Govandsamy Mariemuthoo had taken 156 leave days since his appointment in February 2014.

“He took 70 days vacation leave, 22 days sick leave and 64 days temporary incapacity leave for what is described as an ‘Alleged IOD: Injury Left Knee’. This means he was absent for more than 30 percent of the time, which is excessive and affects the functioning of the station which is in a high crime area. I fail to see why a knee injury should lead to 64 days leave, which is three months absence,” MPL Bloom previously stated.

The Jeppe Community Police Forum chairperson, Mr Zola Dambula, described this call for an investigation as “politicking”.

Mr Dambula made the statement after MPL Bloom announced he and the ward 66 councillor, Clr Carlos da Rocha and Clr Victor Penning, will campaign to have the Jeppe SAPS commander removed.

Mr Dambula then said there is nothing sinister about the station commander taking leave.

In a reply to Mr Dambula’s statement, Clr Da Rocha said Brig Mariemuthoo’s absenteeism resulted in a number of issues being left unresolved.

“I have asked why the station commander was not present so that I could point out the shortfalls of the SAPS. Every time I was told he was either on leave, sick leave or study leave. I made a point of stating on record that the station was ungoverned,” said Clr Da Rocha.

He said he made this statement to the MEC’s office and requested an investigation.

“Understand that the chairman (Mr Dambula) is trying to keep a diplomatic relationship with the leadership of Jeppe, however when people’s lives are at stake one really has to look at the facts and an absent leader is not in favour of assisting a community that’s currently under siege,” said Clr Da Rocha.

“I feel the CPF chairman should rather try and look at the statement and serve the office which he has been elected to, by calling a spade a spade. Mr Dambula’s function as a chairman is to represent the community within SAPS structures,” said Clr Da Rocha.

He said he is concerned about increasing crime in ward 66, which is being serviced by the Jeppe Police Station.

“Crime has increased tenfold in Bertram’s, Bez Valley. Murders are taking place, armed robberies are taking place daily and hijackings are taking place daily. I myself have stared down the barrel of a gun in Bez Valley,” said Clr Da Rocha.

According to Clr Da Rocha, the failure of the Jeppe SAPS to patrol the streets is making it easy for criminal activities to occur.

“One should look at the crime stats in the area, never mind the unreported crimes taking place because lots of people are scared to report these crimes. I have been approached by lots of people complaining that bad things are happening. I think what MPL Bloom is saying is quite correct. We need an active station commander in a police station that’s extremely strategic to dealing with the whole of the Jeppe precinct,” said Clr Da Rocha.

In response, Mr Dambula said, “I am disappointed in the attacks on Brig Mariemuthoo about his leave.”

“Again, I emphasise that Clr Da Rocha is trying to score cheap political points by using Brig Mariemuthoo’s sick leave – if you look at the timing and the manner of raising this issue,” said Mr Dambula.

He said the Jeppe CPF executives were also concerned and addressed the issue of the commander being on leave and looked for solutions on how the matter should be handled.

“This matter, about the leave, has been a concern to us as the community-elected CPF executive too, to the extent that I had a meeting with the Hillbrow Cluster Commander, General Ndaba, at the Hillbrow Police Station two months ago. I raised my concerns around this issue as it was raised by some concerned community members, including the CPF executives. My approach was such that the General should look at alternative placement for Brig Mariemuthoo and look into a permanent replacement for him. This was because of the added workload placed on the people who were in an acting capacity during the station commander’s leave of absence.

“My other concern was that of uncertainty as to whether the brigadier is coming back or not and when,” said Mr Dambula.

“Brig Mariemuthoo’s absenteeism has never affected the running of the station. I want to place on record that the safety of the community within the Jeppe policing precinct was never compromised in any way by Brig Mariemuthoo’s leave of absence. It has been business as usual as there are committed men and women in blue within the Jeppe SAPS management.

“I sit on the station’s crime combating forum held every Monday when crime trends are analysed and operations are planned for the week in advance. The station management also engages with the cluster to plan and partake in cluster operations, backed up by seven other stations in the Jeppe policing precinct. It is very disingenuous and disappointing for Clr Da Rocha to use the Jeppe SAPS as his cheap political fodder,” said Mr Dambula

“Although the Jeppe SAPS is having resource challenges, serving the community is still a priority.

“In terms of how operations are planned, Clr Da Rocha is free to visit the station in order for him to be briefed about where sector patrol vans are and when, through the automatic vehicle locater. Clr Da Rocha is obsessed with policing the police,” said Mr Dambula.

Labour rights

The EXPRESS requested comment from Brig Mariemutho and he responded through his attorney, Mr Jose Nascimento, from Jose Nascimento Attorneys.

He said Brig Mariemuthoo is a “professional career policeman who has served the SAPS diligently.”

“He has labour rights, like any other South African citizen. He is in no bridge of any labour law – everything was done above board. His leave was not based on any privileges.

“On the issues of his absenteeism causing a number of issues unresolved in the Jeppe SAPS and contributing to the escalating of crime in the area – Brig Mariemuthoo has a team and he has always had a substitute in his absence. Again, his absenteeism can never be a cause for crime escalating in the area, so it cannot be said it’s an attributing factor because crime in general in the country is on the rise. Brig Mariemuthoo does not go out himself and deal with cases. He manages his team and supports them in making sure the duties are executed. Work gets done on the ground level in dealing with crime” said Mr Nascimento.