JMPD officer busted

The merits of the 10+ project by metro police took a turn for the worst after the sergeant who headed the Ward 86 law enforcement team was convicted for accepting a bribe.

This sergeant received a sentence of four years imprisonment for soliciting a bribe from a motorist.

Unfortunately for the sergeant, the ‘victim’ turned out to be a member of the Hawks.

True to his constitutional rights, he had a speedy trial and received an appropriate sentence due to the irrefutable evidence presented in court.

Ward Councillor Steve Kotze was delighted to hear of the conviction. He believes the JMPD 10+ project was set up for failure from the start of the launch by the Mayor in Kliptown more than a year ago.

“The JMPD 10+ team was meant to focus on by-law enforcement in respective wards. One team per ward,” he told NMT.

“Great concept. Until logistics [sic] and reality collided.”

It took eight months for this sergeant to meet with the ward councillor. Kotze expressed disappointment with the outcomes of the meeting. The plan was to integrate this unit with the community policing forum and ratepayer associations. A totally different picture emerged, however.

“You will probably only see the ‘dedicated’ Ward 86 JMPD Police vehicle in your ward for not more than 20 minutes a day, I was told,” Kotze recounted.

“This was due to other duties that had to be performed by this unit outside of the ward, like point duty at intersections and attending to motor accidents. So much for the concept of a dedicated unit.”

The availability of vehicles for the JMPD 10+ project compounded matters further.

Presently, teams in two wards share a vehicle.

Apart from trying to patrolling efficiently in two wards, five people in a vehicle can be hazardous if the vehicle were to be attacked with gunfire.

“Senior management know of the fraud and bribery that is commonplace in the rank and file of JMPD in the city – noting the exceptions of some good and dedicated officers – yet are incapable of dealing with this issue,” a frustrated Kotze added.

Enquiries: Steve Kotze 083 654 6547