The allegations stem from an article with the headline, Lawless enforcers, week ending 2 October, in which staff from various police stations which fall under the Hillbrow Cluster, were photographed not adhering to bylaws stipulated by the park.
Although bylaws are a Metro police issue, no Metro officers were seen to be present, and it was evident that these bylaws were being broken by Hillbrow Cluster staff, as many police vehicles were parked on the Zoo Lake grounds while braais were lit and alcohol was consumed.
Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini has confirmed that the Office of the Provincial Commissioner has taken note of the complaints regarding all the allegations.
“The cluster commander of Hillbrow, Major General Dimakatso Ndaba, has been tasked to investigate,” said Dlamini.
He further stated that a full report has been requested from Parkview Police Station commander, Colonel Thembekile Kubone, which will form part of the internal investigation. Once concluded, the cluster commander may take a decision to register a misconduct charge against the members.
“Members were allowed to take [the day] off without compromising service delivery and to celebrate Heritage Day,” Dlamini continued. “Flouting of municipality bylaws by police members is misconduct and those responsible will face the consequences. No permission was granted to the members to take police vehicles to the lake.”
Parkview Community Policing Forum chairperson, Geoff Klass, was surprised by the fact that Hillbrow Cluster commander, Ndaba, was tasked to investigate further, as Ndaba was the one who organised the event to begin with.
“As the cluster commander was present at the event at which the breaches of law were common cause and blatant, it is surprising that neither the commander nor any senior [officer] was sufficiently motivated to stop these transgressions,” stated Klass.
Ward 117 councillor, Tim Truluck, was a little bit more empathetic and felt that the response from provincial police was appropriate.
“I would not like to see anyone lose their jobs or be demoted because of this,” said Truluck.
“Rather, I would like the police to set up proper protocols about organising events of this nature. They can’t be seen to be flouting the very rules they are meant to be upholding.”
