Metro discloses seven EMPD officials have criminal records
It has come to light that a number of Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officials have criminal records for charges ranging from theft and corruption to murder.
This is according to Clr Wollaston Labuschagne, DA ward councillor and member of the Community Safety Oversight Committee in Ekurhuleni, who said he is “shocked” and “appalled” to learn this.
The MMC of Community Safety, Clr Vivienne Chauke, confirmed in response to questions Labuschagne submitted that seven EMPD officials have criminal records.
The MMC also provided Labuschagne with a comprehensive list of all the EMPD officials with criminal records, inclusive of names, rank, offence and the departments in which they are stationed.
“In a previous council term, it came to light that 115 EMPD officials had criminal records. The list of names has since decreased, yet the very same officials with past criminal records still serve in the EMPD,” Labuschagne said.
“This simply confirms that many of these officials have applied for criminal clearance.
“There is one particular official serving in the EMPD VIP unit who was found guilty of murder. This official is awaiting sentencing, yet he is still serving in the EMPD.
“How does the metro justify keeping a murderer on its payroll?”
The criminal records of the seven EMPD officials, whose names are known to the Advertiser, are as follows:
1. Theft: Official employed in fine administration: 6 months imprisonment, suspended for five years.
2. Perjury: Official employed in the WOA Unit: Five year suspended sentence.
3. Culpable homicide: Official stationed in Tsakane: Suspended sentence.
4. Extortion: Official stationed in Tembisa: Two years imprisonment, suspended for five years/correctional supervision/suspended sentence.
5. Extortion: Official stationed in Tembisa: Two years imprisonment, suspended for five years/correctional supervision/suspended sentence.
6. Murder: Official is a member of the VIP unit): Found guilty and not yet sentenced.
7. Corruption: Official is a member of the Tracing Unit East: Five years imprisonment, suspended for five years, and declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Labuschagne added that it is evident that the ANC in Ekurhuleni has allowed many individuals with criminal records to enter the EMPD without proper inspection and scrutiny.
“It has been evident that the EMPD under the current ANC administration is not interested in getting rid of the bad apples in the pack, as they allow criminal cases against police officers to drag on until they are eventually swept under the carpet.
“It is yet to be seen if the newly appointed Chief of Police, Gen Isaac Mapiyeye, will take any action against officials that are guilty of ill-discipline and criminal conduct,” he said.
