National Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa was requested by a member of the public to investigate R53-million that was allegedly stolen ‘from one of the municipalities’.
This was said during a Crime Awareness Imbizo, held at the Mpumelelo Stadium last Saturday.
Minister Mthethwa was shocked by this information, stressing that ‘this is a lot of money and something needs to be done’. He referred the matter to General Khomba Jula, who accompanied him to the imbizo held in a marquee in Sibongile.
If that shocked the Minister then so did information about police officers who are operating syndicates, transporting drugs from Newcastle, Pretoria and Durban. Information from the floor was also given of ‘a certain leader’ whom the public claim is ‘involved in dealing drugs’.

Shebeens
He was also told that some police officers are misusing state vehicles to transport girlfriends, and to travel to buy groceries for their families. Members of the public also complained that certain shebeens are open until sunrise. It was also claimed that some police officers are associated with these shebeens.
The problems of drugs and stock theft are rife in Nondweni and Dundee. Certain CPF members in Dundee mentioned that they are no longer interested in taking part in CPF activities as they claim to be afraid for their lives. Some members requested that the MEC consider the option of a stipend to CPF members, as is given to ward committees.
Minister Mthethwa emphasised that those parents who abandon their children will find themselves facing the law:
“I appealed to the communities to protest at the courts and request that the courts not grant bail to those men who rape young children and women.”
Minister Mthethwa said he is aware that drug dealers are using juveniles to sell drugs.
“You won’t find drugs where they live, and that is why it is so difficult to arrest them, and also to arrest juveniles because they are under age.
“These drug syndicate members stay in beautiful houses and drive expensive cars. Really, something must be quickly done,” Minister Mthethwa added.
There was a complaint about Dlamini Village, where people live without toilets.
The MEC promised to discuss this matter with the MEC of Housing. He said that this is unacceptable, that for more ten years people has been living this way.
The was situation was very tense when the wife of the late Inspector Dlomo mentioned that since their husband died two years ago, they have not received any money for care of the children.
“We have been filling in forms, and we were later told that those forms have been disappearing. We don’t know what to do – it is even difficult to send the children to school. I want the MEC to take the problem of those women who had been married to police officers who died seriously,” the late Dlomo’s wife said.