Deployment of former commandos
should stop
Media Release
15 April 2008
Former commandos who are part of
the South African Police
Services (SAPS) as reservists in
Wakkerstroom should not be
deployed to perform any police
duties in the area. This will
remain enforced until serious
allegations levelled against the
members are sorted out.
This happened after the MEC for
Safety and Security in
Mpumalanga, Mr Fish Mahlalela
was bombarded with complaints of
abusing the rights of the people
of Wakkerstroom by commandos.
Mahlalela took the decision
during an Imbizo jointly
organized by the department and
the Mpumalanga SAPS on Saturday.
Among others, members of the
community claimed that the
commandos who were allegedly
improperly integrated into the
SAPS, allegedly tortured and
murdered residents of the area,
and they were not prosecuted
because cases involving the
members were not reported or
taken to the court due to fear
of victimization.
Other allegations raised by
residents included the unlawful
removal of people’s cattle from
kraals during the night to
impound them so that the owners
pay money in return. According
to some of the residents, this
happens in front of the police,
whom they claimed supported some
of their favourite commandos.
“In view of the seriousness of
the allegations, I urge the SAPS
top management not to deploy the
reservists who were former
commandos in any police related
duties until the matter
involving the allegations
levelled by the community was
cleared. Also, the other police
stations in the whole Pixley Ka
Seme Municipality should be
screened in order to ascertain
whether people are not subjected
to the same abuse,” said
Mahlalela.
He also ordered that in the
process of correcting the
situation, all the reservists
should be screened, and
communities be involved through
the local community policing
forum in order to make sure that
communities were part of the
efforts of fighting crime in the
area.
Earlier in the morning, people
who attended the briefing
session, mostly councillors and
traditional leaders, complained
to the MEC and top police
commissioners who included
Commissioner Pumza
Makanya-Ojowuru that most of the
incidents that occurred in
Wakkerstroom were not reported
to the police because “it does
not help” to complain to the
police. They claimed that, if a
person reports a case that
involves the commandos, police
do not take them serious and end
up being intimidated by the
suspect after getting the
information from the station.
“The fact that community members
seldom report cases at the
station for fear of intimidation
shows that people do not trust
the police and a turn-around
strategy should be developed in
order to win the support of the
residents and jointly work with
the police to fight crime,”
Mahlalela explained.
The Imbizo was part of a string
of activities organized by
government during the past
Imbizo Focus Week in a bid to
show progress in service
delivery. However, this Imbizo
was unique in a sense that it
was triggered by the community
after several incidents of
torture involving commandos were
reported.
Some of the cases reported never
reach the court and the suspects
are still free although
allegedly committed serious
crimes that include murder and
assault.
During the proceeding of the
Imbizo, residents were given a
platform to raise concerns
regarding safety and security in
area, and people were quick to
point areas of dissatisfaction
and unjust practices by the
police.
Those who reported serious
crimes which were never
investigated or finalized were
given a second chance to
register their cases to
departmental officials in order
for the cases to be revisited.
Mahlalela is expecting regular
reports from top SAPS management
before the matter involving the
former commandos in the area
could be reviewed.
Issued by Communication
Section, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government, Department of Safety
and Security
Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza at 013
766 4055 / 082 678 1450
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