Police officers were given an ultimatum to choose between doing their jobs diligently, or to be part of the criminals.
The ANC’s Zone 12 secretary, Mr Sasabona Manganye, made this statement during a march against crime in Malvern on Saturday, November 20.
The march was led by the ANC Youth League.
The march proceeded along Jules Street to the Cleveland SAPS, where a memorandum was received by the station’s visible policing commander, Lieutenant Colonel Nkosinathi Miya.
Mr Sipho Mthembu, the secretary of the Raymond Mhlaba Branch, which covers many Joburg East areas, said the march was sparked by the increase in crime like hijackings, murder and house breaking.
“People are hijacked in broad daylight, bodies are found abandoned on the street and homes are invaded. Drugs are sold on our streets and dealers are not arrested because there are police officers who tip them off,” said Mr Mthembu.
He added that the march encouraged community members to take part in the fight against crime.
Mr Manganye also urged the youth to join crime fighting entities like the Community Police Forum, patrollers and street committees.
He also pledged support for the police.
“We are confident in the police, thought we are conscious that there are those who took the uniform for the wrong reasons. We will work together with the police to remove those officers who are colluding with drug dealers, thugs, murderers and other criminals,” he said.
He also urged women and children to report cases of abuse when they become victims.
“Criminals on our streets should know that we as the community are coming after them. We will catch them. We will not beat them because they might think the case will be over after the beating. We will apprehend them and take them to the police station. They will be arrested, charged and sentenced,” he said.
