SOMETIMES, as the African sages' figurative conclusions after keenly observing quirky human behavioural patterns tend to go, clearing the weeds around a thorn always seems to open a clear path towards one being stung by the selfsame prickly plant.
A case in point is the rumours about the high-handed and downright loutish actions of the elite policing unit, the Tactical Response Team, that are spreading public concern and fears nationwide.
Launched in 2009, and initially touted as suspended national police commissioner Bheki Cele's brainchild, the unit is tasked with an over-arching mandate of crime fighting through well-planned intelligence-driven operations, and to restore public order, as well as the escorting of dangerous criminals, providing tactical assistance to other policing units.
Team members go through a rigorous selection process and an intensive training regime, and the public was assured that their discipline levels would be of a high standard.
One of the intelligence-driven operations in which the team seems to have scored high is in not only minimising the rate of cash-in-transit heists, bank robberies and other violent situations that had seemingly stumped your run-of-the-mill beat cop.
But, much like the thorn for which a caring gardener clears the weeds, only to be stung by the selfsame prickly thorn, the Tactical Task Team seems to be adding to the beleaguered top cop's woes, as he is currently fighting to clear his good name in a hearing testing his fitness to hold office.
The Tactical Task Team's high-handed actions are well-documented in KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Gauteng and Mpumalanga, where team members inexplicably used excessive force on ordinary people, resulting in disciplinary procedures being instituted against them.
Illustratively, in related incidents that stand out, the team allegedly invaded a tavern, divided males and females and searched and assaulted them separately, then later asked the owner to produce proof that the establishment was licensed, ascertained this and left.
In another incident, two residents were hit by stray bullets when revellers rebelled against the actions that went contrary to the team's mandate.
South Africa does not need safety and security personnel who harass instead of protecting the people.
Maybe the noises emanating from irate public members in KwaZulu-Natal - calling for the disbandment of the unit - make sense, under the circumstances.
Blurring the blue line
SOMETIMES, as the African sages' figurative conclusions after keenly observing quirky human behavioural patterns tend to go, clearing the weeds around a thorn always seems to open a clear path towards one being stung by the selfsame prickly plant.
A case in point is the rumours about the high-handed and downright loutish actions of the elite policing unit, the Tactical Response Team, that are spreading public concern and fears nationwide.
Launched in 2009, and initially touted as suspended national police commissioner Bheki Cele's brainchild, the unit is tasked with an over-arching mandate of crime fighting through well-planned intelligence-driven operations, and to restore public order, as well as the escorting of dangerous criminals, providing tactical assistance to other policing units.
Team members go through a rigorous selection process and an intensive training regime, and the public was assured that their discipline levels would be of a high standard.
One of the intelligence-driven operations in which the team seems to have scored high is in not only minimising the rate of cash-in-transit heists, bank robberies and other violent situations that had seemingly stumped your run-of-the-mill beat cop.
But, much like the thorn for which a caring gardener clears the weeds, only to be stung by the selfsame prickly thorn, the Tactical Task Team seems to be adding to the beleaguered top cop's woes, as he is currently fighting to clear his good name in a hearing testing his fitness to hold office.
The Tactical Task Team's high-handed actions are well-documented in KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Gauteng and Mpumalanga, where team members inexplicably used excessive force on ordinary people, resulting in disciplinary procedures being instituted against them.
Illustratively, in related incidents that stand out, the team allegedly invaded a tavern, divided males and females and searched and assaulted them separately, then later asked the owner to produce proof that the establishment was licensed, ascertained this and left.
In another incident, two residents were hit by stray bullets when revellers rebelled against the actions that went contrary to the team's mandate.
South Africa does not need safety and security personnel who harass instead of protecting the people.
Maybe the noises emanating from irate public members in KwaZulu-Natal - calling for the disbandment of the unit - make sense, under the circumstances.
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