[ad_1]
Twelve members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), including a reservist, were arrested over the weekend in three separate incidents after their alleged violation of National Disaster Management Regulations, as well as corruption.
Live | All the latest coronavirus and crash updates
According to national police spokesman Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo, in the first incident, five members, including a police reservist attached to the Namahadi police station in Phuthaditjhaba in the Free State, were arrested because they were allegedly part of a group who was drinking alcohol in a local tavern. on Saturday.
The images of officers drinking in the tavern, and their subsequent arrest, circulated widely on social media over the weekend.
“While the vast majority of SAPS members have worked hard to flatten the spread of the Covid-19 virus, there have been some members who ignored the regulations and committed some heinous crimes, discrediting both of them as well as good work its members are doing, “Naidoo said Monday.
Naidoo said the officers who were seen in the Free State tavern initially escaped when the members were about to attack them.
However, they were later arrested [on] Sunday as reported for the service. Photos of the arrested members went viral, a time SAPS management is not proud of, but the arrest was indeed a necessary course of action, “said Naidoo.
“The 44-year-old tavern owner was also arrested the same day for violating regulations on the prohibition of liquor sales. All liquor was seized and the tavern closed. Police officers will be charged with defeating the extremes of justice and not enforcing and adhering to National Disaster Management Regulations. “
Police officers allegedly steal R30,000 at roadblock
In the second incident, six deputy members of the Brooklyn and Silverton police stations in Pretoria were arrested Saturday after members of the Mpumalanga Anti-Corruption Unit received information that officers had stolen more than R30,000 in cash from a group of people passing an obstacle
According to Naidoo, police officers initially demanded a R100 bribe after realizing that the driver of a sedan and two passengers did not possess the required documentation. The money was allegedly stolen after the sedan was registered with the roadblock.
The six police officers were arrested after they were found to be in possession of the money and are being held at a local police station.
In the third incident, a police officer was detained after he allegedly met at the police headquarters at Soshanguve in Tshwane.
Naidoo said that while all members face criminal charges, internal SAPS processes will also take place.
“Fight corruption and restore the integrity of the [SAPS] they remain a priority for police management. The arrest of ours will send a stern warning to all men and women in blue, as well as to all law enforcement agencies to avoid crime and corruption at all times. “
While these incidents are disappointing, it should be noted that these are isolated incidents, Naidoo said.
“The arrest of these police officers is indicative of SAPS’s commitment to fighting this pandemic.”
Impartial Police
“We continue to urge all of our members to stay focused on the cause of ridding our country of the pandemic by continuing to apply the Disaster Management Act Regulations,” said Naidoo.
National Police Commissioner General Khehla John Sitole applauded the arrests.
“The arrest of ours is discouraging and at the same time pleasant in the sense that it demonstrates that SAPS remains impartial and that it has the capacity and capacity to deal decisively with crime within its ranks,” Sitole said.
Naidoo added that the arrest of 13 foreign nationals for violating closure regulations in Tongaat, north of Durban, and the arrest of those who trade liquor, as well as the seizure of more than R8 million alcohol, on the south coast and in Pinetown in KwaZulu-Natal must issue a severe warning to all those who violate the regulations.
– Stay healthy and entertained during the national closure. Sign up for our Lockdown Living newsletter. Sign up and manage your newsletters in the new News24 application by clicking on the Profile tongue
[ad_2]
