Sapu general secretary Oscar Skommere said the arrest of the high ranking officer and her appearance in court is an embarrassment the SAPS can ill afford.
“The fact that she appeared in court means there is prima facie evidence against her,”he said.
“It is a well-documented fact that the SAPS acts swiftly against junior officers in some instances, for petty offences, and we call for her swift suspension from the SAPS, to avoid jeopardising the internal SAPS investigation that will be launched.”
Skommere said the officer’s suspension will allow for a free, credible investigation.
“The SAPS must be seen to be acting against misconduct, even amongst senior commanders; Sapu is not pronouncing her guilty, as that is for the court to decide,”he added.
“What we are calling for is consistency in the police service, because if it was a junior officer on the ropes he/she would have already been on suspension without benefits.
“Thousands of our members have lost cars, homes, even their lives because of unfair suspensions in the police service.”
Skommere said the fraud charges faced by the top cop are serious and must be dealt with swiftly.
“Her continued presence will intimidate even the investigating officer, thereby compromising justice; she must go now.”
