Sector forums disheartened at probe’s outcome

Sector forum members are dissatisfied with the police’s response to ‘vote of no confidence’ in Amanzimtoti SAPS.

Last month members presented the police with a dossier that was tabled at a community meeting for sectors one and two. The document quoted examples of cases that demonstrated reluctance by police to open or issue case numbers, lack of accountability, lack of adherence to procedure, failure to charge alleged criminals, abuse or misuse of power and property and involvement in criminal activities.

“Despite this document being received and signed for on 17 February, media coverage and wide advertisement of sector meetings, police did not attend any further sector meetings to address issues,” said spokesman for sectors one and two, Louise Marais. “Community members were dismayed by this, as it falls far short of the expectation created by the National Instruction on Sector Policing to ‘improve trust and confidence in the police’.”

The police have since responded to the document delivered to them. They were concerned the document was unsigned, undated and had no writer’s address.

“This was certainly not the case as the document date precedes the first addressee and the first paragraph makes direct reference to joint sectors one and two, in addition to referring to the Amanzimtoti police station,” said Louise. “The document was signed for and given a police stamp.”

The police’s response to the cases cited in the document was to investigate each of the issues independently. “For the most part they failed to furnish case numbers and specifics and often demonstrated their investigation has not been thorough,” said Louise. “In one instance, where the sectors asked for an investigation into why a SAPS member allegedly owns and operates a taxi that was used in a hijacking incident, they reported the taxi is owned by a woman with the same name as the SAPS member. The investigation was dismissed as a result.

While the community continues to try and find ways to partner with the police, it is incumbent on the police to be accountable and make a dedicated effort towards protecting and serving in line with legislation that clearly stipulates minimum standards and procedures,” said Louise.

“The police need to demonstrate these structures in a coherent way to the community on a regional, provincial and national level.”