This is according to a report that was submitted by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), which was given to the Portfolio Committee on Police in Parliament last month. The report states that these cases, which required no disciplinary action, were between the second quarter of the year, which was 1 April and 30 June 2018.
Other cases reflected in the report include two cases where an official firearm was discharged and one where a police officer, on or off duty, was accused of rape. This brings the total number of cases reported on during that period in the province to 27. Meanwhile, Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed in Parliament earlier this week that 1 172 police members have been convicted of various crimes in the last five years.
The Portfolio Committee of Police argued that effective consequence management and constant vetting should form the basis of any measures to deal with police members who break the law. The Portfolio Committee further believe that the current situation whereby corrupt and criminal members emerge within the police service can be turned around by implementing in full the recommendations of the National Development Plan with regard to the code of conduct of SAPS and the National Police Board. These include that disciplinary cases involving a breach of the Code, should be dealt with as a priority and that members charged with misconduct should be required to leave their station immediately until allegations are tested and cases are finalised.
Pulane Choane / OFM News
