Police minister condemns actions of police during lockdown
A week ago, a member of the Pretoria Hawks was arrested for hosting a braai at his home in Jan Niemand Park.
Police Minister Bheki Cele has condemned the acts of criminality by some police officers found to have contravened the lockdown regulations.
A week ago, a member of the Pretoria Hawks was arrested for hosting a braai at his home in Jan Niemand Park in the Moot over the Easter weekend.
The colonel and his four relatives were arrested on 11 April at 22:30 for breaking the national lockdown regulations.
Cele said the arrested officers were a small percentage of members who seeked to rubbish the good work of the security forces during this time.
He welcomed the arrests and said they endorse the SAPS’ zero-tolerance approach to criminality and corruption by members.
“With us entering another two weeks of the lockdown, aptly extended by President Cyril Ramaphosa, I want to encourage the deployed members to continue the good work of ensuring that our citizens are protected against the killer coronavirus, and that they do this within the confines of the law,” Cele said.
Cele and SAPS management have expressed concern at the countrywide arrests for violation of lockdown regulations.
People were arrested for amongst other offences: fraudulent lockdown permits; failure to confine themselves to places of residence; illegal gatherings; and the biggest percentage, for violating regulations on the prohibition of the sale of liquor.
Cele also paid tribute to two members of the SAPS who lost their lives while executing their duties during the lockdown.
Constable Percy Ramalepe (33) of Sandton Vispol was buried in Giyani, Limpopo, on Saturday 18 April after he was shot and killed while responding to a complaint of domestic violence in Sandton on 9 April.
The constable was allegedly killed by the 60-year-old husband of the complainant who then turned the gun on himself. The man died at the scene.
Sergeant Steven Damoense (33) from the Northern Cape Organised Crime unit was also buried on Sunday 18 April, in Delportshoop. Damoense was on patrol duty on 30 March in Rietvale, Modderrivier, when he was fatally stabbed by a suspect who has since been arrested.
Cele said there were a number of police officers who have tested positive for the virus.
He said SAPS management must ensure that members were at all times protected against possible infection of the coronavirus and that they were adequately equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).
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