Corruption, extortion, abuse of power – the list goes on. In recent weeks, the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) has come under scrutiny for numerous claims of misconduct made against its members.

Allegations of extortion, corruption, and assault

Since June last year, about 30 TMPD members have been arrested and are at various stages of court proceedings.

Recently, a directive was issued by the Chief of the TMPD, Basil Nkhwashu, acknowledging the ‘high number of complaints’ the department has received from the public.

The complaints range from allegations of extortion, corruption, and assault by TMPD officers.

Nkhwashu told TMPD members that the public has the right to request appointment papers from officers, take photos of them and their vehicles, and record their interactions.

After the directive made the rounds on social media, MMC for Community Safety Grandi Theunissen came out in support of it.

“The directive is aimed at empowering the public to fight against possible corruption by TMPD officers,” Theunissen said.

“It also makes our officers aware of always conducting themselves ethically, being fair, and respecting the rights of others.”

Speaking to Rekord, the MMC reiterated that the instructions issued in the directive are “nothing new”.

“That has always been the right of the public, but they are so intimidated that they are scared to ask these questions.”

Theunissen said that he originally tried to address these fears from within the TMPD, but his attempts fell on deaf ears, prompting the more aggressive approach.

Investigation has begun

The MMC also cautioned residents that while they do have the right to record and ask for verification, cooler heads must prevail and they should not do anything to further antagonise aggressive situations.

With the assistance of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), investigations into complaints have begun.

“Considering the number of complaints the City has been receiving concerning extortion, corruption, and other cases of misconduct by TMPD officers, this directive is long overdue,” he said.

One of the most recent cases involved 39-year-old Molefe Tsoku, who claimed to have been assaulted by TMPD members in late May.

The alleged assault is said to have taken place on May 29 between 12:30 and 13:30 on Kgosi Mampuru Street, near the prison.

He was pulled over by officers while driving for the local logistics company for which he is employed.

While conversing with one officer, another joined the interaction.

“After speaking to one officer, another approached out of the blue,” Tsoku said.

“I didn’t even see where he came from; he just interrupted me. He was very aggressive and shouted at me, and I in turn responded to him.”

The now hostile confrontation became physical when Molefe said he was pepper sprayed and punched in the mouth.

“In all my years of being a professional driver, I’ve never experienced something like this.”

According to Molefe, he videotaped the incident, but the footage was allegedly deleted by the officers.

Molefe has since opened an assault case at the Pretoria Central Police Station.

Ipid spokesperson Robbie Raburabu said that an assault case has been reported to Ipid and is being investigated.

Rekord approached Central police for comment on the matter but was referred to the TMPD instead.

The TMPD has confirmed that it is aware of the matter and is investigating.

“We advise motorists to report such matters to us to obtain statements from the members involved and the complainant so we can investigate it internally,” said TMPD spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba.

“We are obliged, after receiving such complaints, to report them to Ipid for an independent investigation.”

In a statement in response to the directive, Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink shared some of the recent advances made in the fight against TMPD misconduct.

Some of their successes include:

• Two TMPD officers were detained by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) over the weekend in Diepsloot, Johannesburg, for operating outside their assigned area using a private vehicle.
• The TMPD’s integrity unit is investigating seven officers for using illegal breathalysers in two separate incidents over the Youth Day long weekend.
• Another five TMPD officers are being investigated for operating outside their jurisdiction and allegedly extorting and robbing a member of the public.
• A further two TMPD members are being investigated for using an unofficial breathalyser on a member of the public on the N1 South near Lynnwood Road.

“While we are working to clean up the TMPD, I know that there are many good officers who are still trying to make a difference out there. I want to thank them and encourage them to continue serving our communities with integrity,” Brink said.

“To the public, I would like to call upon our communities to give support and respect to our metro police when they carry out their duties lawfully and ethically.”

Members of the public are reminded that they have the right to:

• Ask for the calibration certificate for testing devices before you blow.
• Refuse the field test and request a blood test instead.
• Ask for identification.
• Record the interaction and take pictures.
• In an instance where a resident feels they’ve fallen victim to misconduct from metro officers.

They are advised to take the following steps:

• Open a criminal case at your nearest police station.
• Report the matter to the TMPD integrity unit for an internal investigation on 083 657 2998
• Alternatively, call 012 358 7095 or 083 437 7987, or 081 507 5052
• Report the matter to Ipid via complaints.gauteng@ipid.gov.za.