Free State police boss under fire

The police watchdog has recommended that the Free State police chief, and some of his deputies, be fired due to fudged crime statistics, the abuse of travel allowances and giving jobs to pals.

The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) has recommended that Free State's police chief and some deputies be disciplined over irregularities in the province's police service, Volksblad reports.

These irregularities, contained in a report by ICD chief in the Northern Cape Dan Morena, included the "manipulation of crime statistics", the misuse of travel allowances and unauthorised appointments of 36 people, mostly friends and family members.

These posts were never advertised, the newspaper said

It said Morena was awaiting feedback from Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa's office after making recommendations on how to discipline chief of police Amon Mashigo and his management.

The probe into the provincial management of the police service was reportedly ordered by President Jacob Zuma's office, after a police reservist George Mashale submitted complaints to the president.

Mashale told Volksblad he would, before the end of the week, ask Zuma to "remove" Mashigo as chief of police.

"We're sick and tired of corrupt people. I want to give President Zuma credit. He has kept his promise to investigate all complaints about corruption," he was quoted as saying.

In the report Morena reveals that provincial chief of crime intelligence Joey Kers had given incorrect crime statistics to the minister of police during a visit in January 2009.

Mashale's complaint said Kers was warned the figures were incorrect, and Mashigo was aware of this.

Another complaint was that Mashigo ordered two police officials to drive his official vehicle and a government vehicle to Pretoria, while he flew there. One official said he had done so to obtain a warning statement, which he failed to do.

In another incident related to expense claims, two deputies Pierre le Roux and Thapelo Mamabolo reportedly attended the funeral of Mashigo's father-in-law, and claimed travel and accommodation allowances.

According to Mashale, Mamabolo was given a lift and still claimed expenses, to which the report by the ICD states that no policy could be found to justify that trip. It was also found that Mashigo's secretary, following his orders, travelled to Pretoria with a government vehicle to fetch documents and a cellphone. Apparently they could not be sent by mail or courier.

She also attended a sporting event that her child participated in and claimed travel and accommodation expenses.

No comment was given by Mashigo's office because the case was still sub judice.