MBOMBELA – The provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Mark Dumisa Magadlela, recently sent a stern warning to ill-disciplined police officials.
This comes after the arrest of two officers, WO Petros Mashaba (53) and Sgt Amos Mathebula (55) of Pienaar police for aiding a prisoner to escape from lawful custody. It is alleged the notorious suspect was arrested for armed robbery and possession of suspected stolen property. He was involved in a string of robberies in which he robbed people of their cell phones and valuable items.
The law-abiding police detained him at Pienaar Police Station and hours later it was discovered that the suspect had escape from lawful custody. Upon hearing the disturbing news, Magadlela immediately went to the station to investigate the incident as Pienaar is one of the best state-of-the-art station in Mpumalanga.
“I am impressed and appreciate this kind of assistance from the community of Pienaar. This clearly shows that residents still have faith in the police and we cannot allow a situation where members are discouraged by these acts of criminality from the police,” said Magadlela. He promised the community that working together with the police, they would reduce the crime scourge within the SAPS and the community.“I urge members of the community not to lose hope nor take law into their own hands.
I have established a strong and reliable team to ensure that the suspect is caught and brought back to the cells. However I will not tolerate any form of ill discipline by our members. All those who do not behave according to our prescripts will be dealt with accordingly,” he said. The two officials appeared in the KaNyamazane Magistrate’s Court on June 4 and were granted free bail. They will appear again on July 10.
