Police comment on allegations surrounding task team’s disbanding

The disbanding of the Brakpan SAPS Anti-Hijacking Task Team has many members of the community up in arms.

The team comprised WO Jan Roos, WO Sonja Roos, Sgt Ockert Venter and Const Jacques Vivier, regarding by many as top cops.

It has since been alleged that members of the Brakpan CPF, a structure within the police service, laid complaints against the team, resulting in the disbanding.

These allegations were repeated during a community demonstration in protest of the decision, which was held on Monday morning outside the the local police station.

Read: ‘Top cops must stay’

While the gathering was peaceful, it was deemed illegal as the participants did not have permission.

About 50 residents were present and many blamed the CPF for the disbanding.

These residents also questioned the CPF’s power in the community and claimed that CPF members “think they are police officers”.

Police station management also came under fire and numerous residents believe that crime will now spike as a result of the disbanding.

Asked to comment on the allegations, Brakpan police confirmed that a complaint has been lodged by members of the CPF against the task team members.

“The identity of the complainants cannot be disclosed for the safety of the individuals,” said Capt Joep Joubert, spokesperson for the Brakpan Police Station commander.

“The nature of the complaint can also not be said at this stage for the purpose of investigation; the disclosure can jeopardise the investigation.”

Joubert explained the role of the CPF.

“The CPF is a structure established under the Police Act and the function is to facilitate a mutual understanding between the SAPS and the public, to listen to the complaints of the public and liaise with the police to address the complaints,” he said.

“On the other hand, the function is to liaise with the public on feedback from the SAPS and to convey concerns of the police to the public.

“This is an exercise of ensuring that there is a partnership between the police and the community with the view of preventing crime.

“Nothing prevents the CPF from being in the company of police in projects like crime awareness and addressing the youth about drugs.

“We all have responsibilities as police and the public in ensuring that there is order in society.

“The CPF members can be at a roadblock with police.

“What I can say in regards to some concerns from the public is that the CPF has no powers to hold a roadblock on their own and search people.

“Any person who takes the law into his or her hands will be investigated and arrested at some stage.”

According to Joubert, the disbanded team members will be working relief duty and will still be helping the community.

Whether the members will be replaced and a new task team will patrol the streets of Brakpan, Joubert stated that this will be taken into consideration.

“If the team is replaced it will not be now or soon,” he said.

Joubert reminded residents that the SAPS, like any other government department, has rules and regulations to run the administration.

“The rules and regulations are not applied in a mala fide (bad faith) practice as there are procedures,” he said.

“These procedures need to be respected like in any company or department.”

Also read: Good work Brakpan SAPS Anti-Hijacking Task Team

Team arrests criminals by the dozen

Rower, wat by skool inbreek, word geskiet

Anti-hijacking team nabs three

Man wat homself aan skoolkinders ontbloot word gevang