Police cannot deny alleged CBD drug involvement

Gauteng police management said this week it was unable to refute allegations that some of its officers were involved in drug crimes and other corrupt activities.

“This cannot be denied given the number of officers that have either been arrested and/or dismissed from the service for corruption since January 2019,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters.

Peters was, however, quick to point out that the arrest and dismissal of such officers reaffirmed Gauteng police management’s commitment to fighting fraud and corruption within police ranks.

“The SAPS has a zero-tolerance approach to any unethical and corrupt conduct by members of the service,” she said.
“No one is above the law.”

Peters said the rooting out of criminal and corrupt elements from within the service was in line with its national anti-corruption strategy which was launched in June 2018.

She also pointed out police drug bust successes in the Pretoria CBD.

“We arrested 842 suspects in Pretoria Central for possession and/or dealing in drugs, while 391 were arrested in Sunnyside since January,” Peters said.

The statement comes as police officers were accused of being in cahoots with alleged drug peddlers in the Pretoria CBD.

On 27 August, Gauteng Public Transport and Roads MEC Jacob Mamabolo and Lieutenant General Elias Mawela engaged with representatives of the taxi industry at a meeting where the Tshwane metro was also represented.

“A joint committee was established to look into the violence that had erupted after the fatal shooting of taxi operator, Jabu Baloyi; as well as looking into allegations levelled against the police by the taxi industry in relation to circumstances surrounding the murder of Jabu Baloyi,” she said.

According to taxi drivers operating in the area, police officers escorted the alleged drug peddlers or transported their drugs.

“There are some police officers who are party to the drug dealers,” Tshwane taxi industry chairperson Piet Mahlangu told Rekord.

“Our drivers see this every day.”

He also said when the taxi drivers apprehended drug dealers and handed them over to the police, nobody would give them any feedback on these arrests.

Mahlangu said he had proof of such incidents.

Tshwane MMC for community safety and security Karen Meyer said her office also had evidence that police offices were allegedly involved in the peddling of drugs within the CBD.

READ MORE: UPDATE: SAPS officers involved in CBD drugs, claims MMC

“There are also similar reports, and preliminary footage received by my office, to indicate that the police are also allegedly complicit in collecting money and facilitating the sale of drugs.”

Gauteng provincial spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubela said anyone who had a complaint regarding officers in cahoots with alleged drug peddlers, could report to the police station.

“The matter will be investigated,” he said.

“The person must submit a statement to the police to support their allegations,” said Makhubela. 

“It is worth noting that successes and arrests, including the arrests and dismissals of police officers suspected of fraud and corruption, were effected after police operationalised information and tip-offs received from members of the public,”  said Peters.

“It is on this basis that police want to encourage members of the public to continue to collaborate with the police by forwarding information and tip-offs on criminal and suspicious activities in their areas.”

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