Department calls for in-depth probe on acquittal of reserve constables

Media Release
28 March 2008

The Mpumalanga Department of Safety and Security calls for an in-depth probe into the acquittal of 13 police constables (reservists) due to a misplaced charge sheet by a prosecutor at the Komatipoort Magistrate Court.

According to MEC Fish Mahlalela, the probe should be urgently commissioned by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and SAPS to determine exactly what happened to the documents and to immediately take appropriate steps where necessary.

“The investigations should also seek to urgently restore the case back to the court roll so that the 13 police constables are swiftly brought to court to stand trial for what they allegedly committed,” says Mahlalela.

He says that this incident not only demonstrates laxity on the side of some court officials, but also confirms claims made by some community members during departmental Izimbizo about officials in the criminal justice system who fail to perform their duties with diligence and commitment.

“Besides, it also dampens the spirit of the hard-working police officers who work tirelessly in a bid to restore calm and stability among the residents of the province in terms of reducing crime. It is incidents like these that are setting back the efforts of the Department of improving relations between the community and the police,” Mahlalela continues.

Mahlalela’s belief is that state institutions need to work efficiently in order to ensure that criminality is eroded among the residents of the country and among police officials in particular, because they are supposed to be the champions of a crime and corruption free society.

“I commend the brave officers who arrested the suspects who colluded with the Mozambicans to commit these serious crime, and want to issue a stern warning to all police officers that crime does not pay,” Mahlalela comments.

This matter emanates from an incident where the Gauteng based police constables were arrested after they tried to smuggle Mozambicans who were supposed to have been deported to their country of birth on 19 March 2008.

The Mozambicans allegedly paid a bribe to the officers for exemption from deportation, and their plan was blemished by the alert police officers at the Lebombo Border Post.

The 13 officers were set free by the court after the prosecutor responsible for the case allegedly forgot or misplaced the charge sheet.

Issued by Communication Section, Mpumalanga Provincial Government, Department of Safety and Security
Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza 013 766 4055/ 082 678 145