MBOMBELA – Two locally based police officers were arrested on Wednesday after they had allegedly been found in possession of large amounts of dagga.
The bust of 10 kilograms of marijuana with a street value of about R35 000 was made by the SAPS intelligence team.
“We are deeply concerned by the trend developing of criminality within the police service,” said the spokesman for the DA, Mr Bosman Grobler.
“While the actions to arrest criminal cops are commendable, it is a concern that we have criminal officials within the police service to begin with in increasing numbers lately,” he added.
Grobler continued by saying that the country would be far safer with a competent police force which was committed to turning the tide against crime and not being part of the ongoing criminality in Mpumalanga.
Last August eight police officers from the Lydenburg K9 Unit were arrested for alleged crimes involving illegal cigarettes.
Bosman added that it was key to recruit and retain policemen who were committed and enthusiastic about fighting crime, and for whom serving their country was a vocation and not just another job.
“Police officers should not flout the law, they should uphold it. We are seeing increasing levels of corruption, criminality and brutality in our SAPS today,” Bosman said.
He added that active steps must be taken to rid the system of corrupt members, to end the scourge of criminals in the force and to ensure that police criminality was appropriately dealt with. “This requires the commitment of senior managers in the police service and the necessary political will.”
At the time of going to press, provincial police spokesman Sgt Gerald Sedibe had not responded to any of Lowvelder’s enquiries despite numerous phone calls.
