A woman’s stokvel money allegedly stolen and a car guard choked and stabbed — these are just two of the cases police in Nelson Mandela Bay have been implicated in recently.
In all, criminal cases have been opened against at least 10 Bay police officers this month alone, while two have been arrested in Kariega and East London.
Bay police commissioner Major-General Vuyisile Ncata condemned the alarming figure, urging officers to act against their colleagues without hesitation if they were found to be violating the law.
In one case, two Gqeberha police officers are being investigated for the attempted murder of a car guard, who was allegedly choked and stabbed repeatedly while being accused of stealing food stamps.
In another, a group of Kwazakhele police officers is being investigated for allegedly stealing an elderly woman’s stokvel money.
Meanwhile, Sergeant Rudy Arends, of the Kamesh police station, was arrested in connection with the murder of a Kariega resident.
And in East London, Warrant Officer Jonathan van Oordt was detained on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm during a crime blitz in the city.
Ncata said the SA Police Service condemned any form of unethical and corrupt behaviour from its members, and would not hesitate to arrest anyone who tainted the image of the force.
“Those who are tasked with the responsibility to uproot corruption must do so without fear or favour,” Ncata said.
“We have repeatedly reiterated that police officers are not above the law and there is no room for them in an organisation dedicated to serving its citizens with trust, honesty and professionalism.”
He said all the respective cases were still under investigation and that the police’s integrity management section had been tasked with raising awareness on matters related to unethical conduct, fraud and corruption.
“The ethics and anti-corruption strategy [reflects] the commitment of the SAPS’s management to enhance ethics, the code of conduct, and curb corruption within the organisation.”
On November 7, an attempted murder complaint was reported against two Gqeberha police officers after they allegedly stabbed a car guard with a kitchen knife.
According to a leaked police report, the 41-year-old complainant was choked on his bed, and stabbed in the back, arm, genitals, and legs after being accused of stealing food stamps.
Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said the alleged incident occurred on November 1. A case was reported six days later.
The complainant claimed the incident occurred at his Mayberry Street home in Malabar.
“A 41-year-old man alleged that he was injured by two suspects using a knife,” Beetge said.
“He reported a case of attempted murder against a 41-year-old male and a 40-year-old female.
“It is further alleged that both suspects are police officials.
“The case is currently under investigation and no arrests have been made.”
According to the police report, it is alleged two women detectives from Gelvandale arrived at the complainant’s home, where one of the officers started breaking his items and hit him.
The same officer persistently questioned the man about the stamps, which she had accused him of stealing.
“The female officer’s husband, who is a detective at the gang unit, arrived at the scene.
“The husband and wife then [allegedly] assaulted the victim further, and the male officer choked him on his bed.
“The female officer took a knife from the kitchen and [allegedly] stabbed the victim in the back, arm, penis and legs.
“She was screaming she wanted the stamps he had stolen from her shop, where he also worked.”
The man was treated in Livingstone Hospital for his injuries.
Though the complainant could not be reached for comment, a family spokesperson said he was still in shock.
“He feels like the police have given up on the community and do not fear the consequences of their actions.
“[The complainant] and his wife are still in shock, and the man is fearful and in a lot of pain.
“He had to wait for his wounds to heal before he could report a case,” the family member said.
In a separate case, on November 2 theft charges were opened against a large group of Kwazakhele police officers.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said on September 22 at about 6.45pm, a woman was at home in Rolihlahla Street, Soweto-on-Sea, with another person.
“She had just finished counting her stokvel money and placed it in a leather bag when she heard noises at the back of her house.
“She sent the visitor to open the door, as she thought it was the dog wanting to come in.”
Naidu said they found police officers outside, searching a container in the yard.
“They were allegedly looking for drugs,” Naidu said.
“The police officials, up to six of them, then entered the main house and after searching it, they [allegedly] left with the leather bag containing the money.
“The total amount of cash [allegedly] taken was R8,000.”
Naidu said the woman immediately went to the police station to ask about her money, but no-one was able to assist her.
“She then reported a case of theft on November 2. The matter is under investigation.”
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesperson Robbie Raburabu said the respective incidents fell outside the directorate’s mandate for investigation as the alleged offences were not committed in the execution of police duties.
Asked why no arrests had been made in either the stokvel or car guard cases, Naidu said ID parades still needed to be held.
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said the alleged stabbing incident was perturbing.
“As a union, we are against any form of brutality, be it against members of the public or the police,” Mamabolo said.
Arends was earlier this month one of two police officers arrested in the Eastern Cape.
In the first incident in East London, about two weeks ago, the Provincial Crime Intelligence unit, with the assistance of East London Public Order Policing, conducted a drugs and illegal firearms operation in Buffalo Flats.
During the operation, Van Oordt was detained on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm, together with Roland and Nathaniel Postman.
Arends was, meanwhile, arrested on a string of charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
He became the third person arrested in connection with the December murder of Raul Damons, 31, who was tied up and shot in the head in his residence in Aalwyn Drive.
Though Arends remains in custody, pending a formal bail application, lawyer George Malgas said his client denied the allegations.
Anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee said the law needed to take its course.
“Sadly, more and more cops are being implicated in crime and it’s a huge worry,” he said.
IRS Forensic Investigations director Chad Thomas said the SAPS was a large organisation with close to 200,000 employees, and that not all officials were corrupt.
“Among them are dedicated members.
“Unfortunately, however, there’s also a bad element that casts police in a negative light.
“The fact is there are more good cops than bad.
“This is abundantly clear because if the majority were compromised, we would be in a completely lawless country.”
Ncata encouraged residents to report corruption through the various platforms.
He assured the public that all cases would be thoroughly investigated.
“Not all police officials are corrupt and there are officers that go above and beyond the call of duty, risking their own lives to ensure the safety of the communities they serve.”
HeraldLIVE
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