HAS the SAPS got a secret formula for the appointment of senior officials that lack competence?
Could this formula be reversed to hire officials based on merit and experience.
It is a severe indictment on the the general public who place their utmost trust on the police to safeguard them.
Internal squabbles and unnecessary court cases is a waste of valuable time and resources especially when our statistics show either a leveling off or increase in all categories of crime.
The wasted time and energy could be used more productively in terms of hunting down criminals than fighting a case that benefits a single person at the expense of the majority.
If we reflect back, a few years names like Bheki Cele, Jackie Selebi and Riah Phiyega who were appointed National Police Commissioner all left under a cloud.
More recently, Hawks head Berning Ntlemeza has been red-carded by the constitutional court as not fit to hold office. He is still fighting to make a comeback.
Then there is Richard Mdluli who is on suspension pending a number of charges against him including kidnapping and assault.
While he awaits for the trial date Mdluli remains on suspension on full pay since 2012. What a slap in the face for the many living below the poverty datum line.
The latest top cop, acting commissioner Khomotso Phahlane has been alleged by the Independent Police Investigations Directorate (IPID) that almost R750 000 in cash exchanged hands from the boot of his car.
These incidents only serve to taint the SAPS as an institution that cannot be trusted.
The noise resonating from communities is that the rot in SAPS must come to an end.
With the no-nonsense Fikile Mabalula as the minister of police there will definitely be sweeping changes moving forward. His message is clear,criminals must be behind bars and if a policeman’s life is threatened he needs to shoot to kill.
Desperate times calls for desperate measures.
Vijay Surujpal
Phoenix
