Corrupt officers will face the music, says Tshwane Metro police head

The Tshwane metro police department opened a satellite station in Pretoriuspark in the east of Pretoria to bring services closer to the residents and improve response times.

During the opening on Tuesday, the TMPD chief Lieutenant-General Johanna Nkomo warned the officers against corruption which she said her office would not tolerate. She urged the officers to behave in a disciplined manner and not accept bribes from members of the public when enforcing the law.

“We are here to listen to the complaints of the community and try to bring solutions. We are here to behave in a very decent manner and to serve them in great standard,” she said. “What we are not here for is to ask money (from the public).” Last year, 13 TMPD officers were arrested for alleged corruption in various parts of the city.

Nkomo, dealing with complaints of unlawful arrests, urged the police to follow protocols when arresting members of the public.

“If you can see the person (driver) is drunk, arrest them and follow the protocol. Arrange for that person to get a blood test for analysis or be brave enough to say to SAPS ‘I was not able to take this person for tests but I arrested them because they were driving recklessly and they looked like the person was under the influence’,” she said.

“We are not here to walk around and threaten drivers with ‘I’m going to take you to the station because you are drunk’ when you know deep down in your heart the machine you are using (to detect alcohol consumption) is not compatible.”

Nkomo urged the public to report cases to the department and not only to post on social platforms and the media.

“The posts are not official complaints, we need these reports so that we can take the necessary steps. When we do catch them, believe me, we deal with them criminally and departmentally and they lose their jobs.”

She said disciplinary measures ranged from the police being demoted, no pay for months, and even losing their jobs depending on the severity of the cases. The station started off with three vehicles, but TMPD deputy chief Basil Nkhwashu said in the new financial year, the station would be developed further.

“We have a few desks for the staff and more will be delivered. We are going towards the end of the financial year, and in the new financial year we will give them more resources.” Nkhwashu said there were 40 officers, three management officers making up a complement of 43 people working in the station.

“We have a minimum of three vehicles, two that will deal with complaints and one that will solely deal with the by-laws. As for now it is a start and we will try and give them more resources in the new financial year.”

Nkhwashu said the department was budgeting for new vehicles. Tshwane mayor Randall Williams said the station situated in the west of Mamelodi could not respond effectively on time for all the areas in the east of Pretoria.

“The establishment of the satellite office came after our assessments indicated that there was a need to enhance TMPD services in the area. Previously, TMPD region 6 members were responding from the Mamelodi office, which was a challenge to arrive on time to some remote parts of this region.

“The new satellite station will afford TMPD members the opportunity to respond promptly to issues of safety and security affecting residents in areas such as Garsfontein, Plastic View and Wolwespruit,” he said.

The station was expected to operate on a 24-hour shift basis to adequately perform the core TMPD functions which include by-law enforcement, road policing and crime prevention. The station is situated in Pretorius Park electricity depot, 936 Bugle Street, Pretoriuspark.