Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale has acknowledged that there are police officers who have relationships with criminal syndicates and gangs.
Also read: “Collusion between SAPS and members of the so-called 28’s gang”
Addressing the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) yesterday, Mathale said that the police faced a major problem with officers who collaborate with criminals.
“Some have been arrested and sentenced as we speak,” he said. “We have zero tolerance towards members (officers) who work with criminals.”
“There was an issue raised about police officers having associations with gangsters. It’s true. There are some who have relationships with gangsters.”
“We have taken action against those who are found to be working with gangsters or those working in a manner that is criminal. The service is at the disposal of the people of South Africa.”
These statements come after concerns were raised in the Western Cape High Court when a judge said that gangs might be receiving inside information on the police’s anti-gang strategy.
These were made in a judgment in the bail appeal of two men accused of gang murders in Cape Town.
Last week, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde asked the province’s police ombud, General Oswald Reddy, whether a commission of inquiry was required to delve into the claims as he called for Police Minister Bheki Cele to be dismissed for not addressing the persistent allegations
Meanwhile, yesterday, Mathale further added that the number of police officers had dropped significantly since 2010, when South Africa already had only 150 000 police officials, placing law enforcement under additional strain.
“While the population continues to grow, the police numbers decreased to 140 000, and we are policing about 60 million people. We have taken a stance that says we need to increase the personnel we have, at least to a point where we have similar numbers as in 2010.
“This does not mean that when we reach the level we were at in 2010, we will have reached a number that is desirable. The population is not going to wait for us,” he said.
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Picture: Cape{town}Etc Library