Here are Gauteng’s police stations with the most criminally-accused officers

It has emerged that close to 500 police officers in Gauteng are being investigated for committing serious criminal offences, leaving questions over the safety of citizens at the hands of law-enforcement officials in the province.

This was revealed in a statement by DA member of the provincial legislature (MPL) Michael Shackleton on Tuesday.

“Such acts have resulted in people losing the critical trust and confidence needed in law enforcement agencies, and leaving residents more vulnerable,” reads the statement.

The startling information was revealed in a written response to Shackleton by the MEC for community safety Faith Mazibuko.

According to Mazibuko, 459 police officers in Gauteng currently have criminal cases open against them.

The cases range from reckless and negligent driving, common assault, assault with intentions to cause grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, theft, house and business robbery, fraud, corruption, bribery and domestic violence.

ALSO READ: Crime stats: This is SA’s current murder capital

“It is a clear indication that Saps [South African Police Service] is failing in its responsibility to prevent, combat and investigate crime, as well as ensure that police officers uphold the rule of law instead of breaking it,” said Shackleton.

“The safety and security of Gauteng residents are worryingly compromised as police officers tasked with a responsibility to prevent anything that may threaten the safety or security of any resident and to ensure criminals are brought to justice, are also currently being investigated for committing serious criminal offences.”

The three stations with the most offenders in the province are:

• Tsakane police station in Ekurhuleni: 35 police officers are currently under investigation for crimes ranging from theft, common assault, and reckless and negligent driving.
• Krugersdorp police station in the West Rand: 28 police officers all charged with reckless and negligent driving.
• Hekpoort police station, also in the West Rand: 30 police officers being probed for crimes ranging from reckless and negligent driving, attempted murder, theft, assault and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

While the DA has called for an urgent intervention strategy in the most severely affected police station, the party has previously called for a complete overhaul of the police force countrywide.

‘Common’ to find officers facing criminal charges’

Earlier last month, 11 Tshwane metro police officers were arrested for allegedly assaulting three men when they went to collect their car at the Tshwane Impound Vehicle Centre.

Ten of the officers were released on R2,000 bail each by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, and the 11th officer got R3,000 bail.

ALSO READ: DA exposes ‘police brutality’

All of them will be back in court on 3 December.

It was discovered at the time that three of the accused had previous convictions or pending cases. They include:

• Tshikani Dennis Valoyi, 38, (previous conviction of assault)
• Rose Nhlanhla, 43, (pending case of theft and assault)
• Richard Maselela, 45, (pending corruption case)

Police watchdog, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), then said it was common thing to find officers facing criminal charges.

“We have a lot. I can’t put a figure to it,” said Ipid spokesperson Grace Langa.

“Usually, we find out when a person is arrested and investigated and when we get their profile, we find out these things, which we present to the court.”

Langa did concede that by law, an ex-convict should not be employed as law-enforcement officer but sometimes the pending cases occur during their employment, or while they are off duty.

Additional reporting by Rorisang Kgosana