DA demands criminal cops to be fired
The DA wants the more than 270 police officers with criminal records removed from the SAPS.
This is according to DA member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and DA Gauteng Community Safety spokesperson Michelle Clarke.
According to Clarke, the party has learned that Project 1448 – an initiative by the Department of Community Safety in Gauteng to root out police members with criminal records – was shut down as it was deemed unlawful.
“This was revealed by Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane during a sitting of the Gauteng Legislature,” she said in a statement.
Clarke stated that the DA is calling for the SAPS members in Gauteng who continue to perform active duty, despite having been convicted of committing criminal offences, to be removed.
“Of the 271, 248 have been convicted of committing serious crimes; this situation cannot be dealt with effectively if initiatives that are instituted to tackle such matters are flawed from the outset,” she said.
“The MEC reportedly indicated that there are currently cases in court and that the situation is beyond her control.
“However, what is in her control is to call for closer scrutiny and background checks of SAPS recruits, to ensure that the dedicated men and women in blue are not tarnished by nefarious characters.”
Clarke indicated that the DA will continue to monitor these cases and ensure that those police officials who have convictions are removed from the system.
The national police commissioner, Gen Riah Phiyega, recently vowed to root out corruption in the SAPS, by redoubling her efforts to expose rotten apples that spoil the whole organisation.
She has intensified the investigations into crimes committed by SAPS members and redoubled her efforts to expose police impostors, by setting up the national investigation team.
Since October, last year, to date, the National Investigation Unit (NINU) has arrested scores of people, in connection with charges relating to the impersonation of police officers and SARS officials, among other charges.
The team has uncovered syndicates that are linked to one another operating in the Boksburg, Florida, the Johannesburg CBD, Langlaagte and Randburg.
According to SAPS spokesperson Lieut-Gen Solomon Makgale, the suspects arrested comprise SARS officials, SAPS members, members of the Gauteng Traffic Police and civilians.
