A police constable attached to the Lentegeur Police Station has been arrested on charges of defeating the ends of justice, linked to an alleged incident in the precinct in April.
Western Cape Anti-Corruption unit officers arrested the constable on Wednesday 28 June, for allegedly trying to protect a drug peddler.
According to reports around the alleged incident, the officer was transporting a person who came from a known drug house in the area.
Officers in the vicinity wanted to search this person, but the constable in question told these officers not to as the person was with him.
On searching this person, cocaine was found in his possession and he was arrested.
After an investigation the docket was submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and a warrant of arrest was issued and executed on Wednesday.
The constable appeared in court on the same day and was released on R1 500 bail. The case was remanded to Wednesday 12 July.
Michael Jacobs, deputy chair of the Mitchell’s Plain United Residents Association (MURA) and Lentegeur resident, says the community has lost trust in the police.
“It is a fact that the communities served by Lentegeur Police Station have in the past called for the police station to be ‘closed down’ as they see it as ineffective, inefficient, unhelpful and that the police in general are corrupt. So this latest incident of alleged police corruption will certainly increase that trust deficit between the community and the police. However, is the closing down of the police station really the solution?” Jacobs asks.
“The latest arrest of a police detective on an alleged corruption charge does very little to boost confidence in the police and this together with other allegations and rumours rife within the community of police members allegedly on gangsters’ payroll. There have been claims that dockets still go missing and the general tardiness when it comes to investigating cases which are then struck from the court roll.”
Jacobs says police need to engage more with residents and ensure transparency, accountability and willingness to deal with corruption to rebuild the public trust.
Jacobs is a former CPF chair.
“The perception from the community is that the whole criminal justice system is corrupt and that it has failed our communities. The mere fact that the police officer was arrested and released within hours on the same day has angered some sections of the community, as they view it to be unfair and of protecting their own. They feel that justice is not being served by releasing the individual so quickly while other offenders are not afforded the same opportunity,” he says.
“The community hopes that a thorough investigation will be done and that the officer will be suspended from active duty pending the finalisation of the criminal matter,” says Jacobs.
Lentegeur Police did not confirm if the suspect arrested for cocaine possession has been prosecuted, any other details on this case or if the officer has in fact been suspended from active duty at the time of going to print.
While cocaine was found in possession of the suspect, Jacobs says dagga, heroin and tik are most common in the area.
CPF chair Byron de Villers says the CPF welcomes this arrest.
Acknowledging there may be some mistrust, he encourages residents to approach the CPF.
“We would like to encourage the community to come to the CPF if they don’t feel safe sharing the information with police,” says De Villiers.
He agrees that drugs are freely available in the precinct, adding that there is a constant battle for drug turf, situated in an area where gangsterism is rife.
“We (are) situated in a gang area and there is a consistent battle for drug turf. Drugs are freely available.
“I would think (this arrest) would (help restore trust in the police) and we welcome more arrests of corrupt officers,” he says.
“It is sad that the community did not get an opportunity to oppose bail (in this case).”
Provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile issued a stern warning to all officers that corruption among the ranks of the Western Cape police will not be tolerated, and will be prosecuted.
