ALL efforts are being made to alleviate racial tension, back and forth accusations and uncertainty about defined roles and procedures on crime scenes, which continue to cause bitter rifts between Community Policing Forums (CPF) and SAPS.
While sources agree top structures of both organisations attempt to cooperate and assist each other, the sentiments are not filtering through the ranks.
Hostility and distrust are taking a toll on crime fighting efforts and community safety.
Chairperson of the Richards Bay CPF, Robert Mbuyazi received a letter from CPF member and NRPS security expert, Corrie Pretorius, requesting urgent outside intervention.
The request culminated in a large workshop attended by CPF’s from Richards Bay and Empangeni, ward councillors and SAPS delegates.
The presentation focused on the Legal Framework for Community Safety Structures, presented by Advocate Nxeza of the Department of Community Safety and Liaison.
Pretorius in his letter said there was growing concerns about transparency and feedback of cases at Richards Bay SAPS.
He said despite total commitment by station commissioner, Brigadier Brenda Mgenge, the shunning of the CPF by some members, undermines trust, promotes fear among members of the public and discourages committed members from continuing the work.
‘We have had numerous complaints and public outcry for resolving of issues.
‘I find it increasingly difficult to keep our members committed and motivated.
‘We must remain aware that CPF members are volunteers and offer their own transport, fuel, costs and time and offer this in service to SAPS.’
Outstanding investigations
Pretorius requested feedback on several cases with unknown outcome:
• Shane Swanepoel was allegedly assaulted on 13 April last year at Meerensee SPAR by three men, following a fender bender in the parking lot.
His left eye was left permanently damaged, after he was kicked and beaten in presence of his wife, several witnesses and video footage in which the suspects could clearly be identified.
No arrests followed his charge of assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm. The prosecutor also refused to enrol the matter stating lack of evidence as a reason.
• CAS 156/08/2016: In August, a 9 year-old school boy of Zululand Remedial School was brutally attacked on a school bus and beaten more than 10 times with a leather belt by an adult male.
Video footage from a camera on the bus, identified the suspect. No arrest has been made although police reportedly know the identity of the suspect.
• CAS 465/3/2016: In March, a business theft suspect was identified on video footage and is known to the Alton company where the theft occurred.
His Eshowe address and clear CCTV photo where the suspect was captured in the act, was handed to SAPS but there has been no arrest or feedback.
• CAS 298/3/2016: In March, an attempted murder case was opened when Michelle Green was struck with a brick by an attacker she could identify. She sustained a skull fracture and brain haemorage. No arrest was made.
• On 13 August, a mother and 10 year-old son were assaulted by four males in Angler’s Rod, after they allegedly rear-ended her vehicle. SAPS allegedly attended the scene but later refused to open a case. She received medical attention from ICE Medical Services. SAPS recorded it as an incident and no CAS number was supplied because the suspects were not on the scene.
• A vehicle jumped an SAPS road block on Dune Road and was pursued by SAPS. Meerensee CPF assisted. The vehicle and suspects were arrested after colliding with a pole in Krewelkring. SAPS took the suspects into custody and allegedly released them at Greenhills without charging them.
• An elderly Ski-Boat Club employee was robbed and injured in June on Davidson Lane. Six suspects were arrested by SAPS and Northern Region Protection Services. The money was recovered. The suspects were later allegedly released by SAPS without any cases being opened.
• In August, two contractors were assaulted near Ndaba Lodge with garden implements. They sustained open wounds and were transported to Ngwelezane Hospital.
The suspects fled the scene and were later apprehended by Meerensee CPF. The suspects remain at large although two were managing and working at a well-known restaurant.
• Suspects were released by SAPS members and allowed to remove their vehicle from the scene after racially abusing CPF members, drinking in public, vandalising road signs and damaging a vehicle.
SAPS Communication Officer, Captain Debbie Ferreira, said the cases are under investigation and the investigative officers will be interviewed at length before official feedback is supplied.
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