On Saturday, 22 May, Minister of Police Bheki Cele met with the community of Zandspruit. This comes after the brutal killings of eight people in an alleged mob justice attack.
Read initial article here: Nine suspected criminals set on fire in Zandspruit
Accompanied by the MEC of Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, Cele first had private engagements with a small group of the community before addressing the larger audience at the scene of the crime.
Cele assured the community of Zandspruit that their complaints had been heard and most importantly apologized on behalf of the police that had failed the community.
“An apology is only the beginning. Corrupt cops don’t belong in this organisation. Crime will end when we all stand up,” he also gave a strong warning to community leaders who partake in criminal activities and act as defendants of the community.
The Minister gave a stern warning to police officers who not only accept bribes but also partake in criminal activities such as drug dealing, “We don’t have ‘jobs’ in the police, we are serving. This is a service.” He explained that a team would be set up to search and investigate other charges, saying, “Because this is not the first time this happened.” A statement to which the community agreed.
Cele said he would return in three weeks with other ministers because what had transpired was not just a policing matter. He said a social development program needed to be set up to assist the youth.
“We will return with a list of people that have been arrested and have other departments explain what else can be done here. We will fix what needs to be fixed with the police,” he reassured the community.
Simphiwe Masango from Zandspruit CPF acknowledged that the minister said what they wanted to hear because they were not happy with what had happened in the past week. “We heard that arrests were made but we don’t know who those people are.”
