Police spent two weeks searching for three police officers who allegedly robbed a motorist of his cellphone in Welkom.
The perpetrators were caught after CCTV footage from a filling station was released to the public on July 1. One of the policemen could be seen wearing a SAPS bulletproof vest while a policewoman could be seen wearing a SAPS-branded face mask. A white VW Polo sedan, which was allegedly used by the members, can also be seen with flashing blue lights.
The police had pulled over a vehicle and ordered the man to step out. The man refused and drove to the nearest filling station where the members followed him.
It was during that period when the police officers allegedly grabbed the victim’s cellphone and sped off. Two police units traced the suspects in Gauteng and arrested them on Saturday.
It is tragic that some of those entrusted to protect citizens from criminals find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Wearing a police uniform should be like putting on a badge of honour — something that inhibits even the smallest triggers for criminal action.
It is encouraging that police took on the task of apprehending these suspects, whose alleged criminal act tarnishes the good work done by many other honest police officers,
This, however, is not the first time that police officers find themselves on the accused dock.
In May, two Rustenburg detectives appeared in court after their arrest for alleged corruption and extortion.
Sgt Yvonne Suzan Sikwani, 54, and Const Bontle Mmudi, 41, were arrested in a sting operation led by the anti-corruption unit in the North West.
While the two were investigating a fraud case reported during May 2021, they allegedly demanded money on several occasions from the complainant to fast-track the investigation.
Following the latest arrest, national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola welcomed their arrest and condemned the behaviour of the accused. Masemola said the police service did not condone acts of criminality and corruption within its ranks.
“We will continue to deal decisively with those who do not abide by the SAPS code of conduct without fear or favour,” Masemola said.
There are also worrying figures from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) on the volume of complaints it received about police misconduct.
In its annual report for the 2022/23 year, Ipid said it made 2,093 referrals to the NPA for a decision whether to institute criminal proceedings against the police suspects.
The majority of those referrals (1,533) were for assault, while 13 were for corruption and 68 were for rapes by police officers. There were also 158 referrals to the NPA for cases of deaths as a result of police action.
Officers who commit crime show disdain for the uniform or do not see the wearing of the uniform as signalling their intention to provide service to society.
Theoretically, the public should expect nothing but good service from those who swore to serve and protect. Those who are bent on being a menace to society must be kept away from police uniforms.
It is encouraging though that internal departmental disciplinary proceedings will be expedited. The latest arrests should be praised and police must double their efforts to remove those who do not deserve to wear the uniform.
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