150 police officers are on suspension

ABOUT 150 police officers are currently on suspension facing disciplinary proceedings amid allegations of theft, corruption, murder, malicious damage to property, reckless and negligent driving, and possession of stolen goods among others.

Minister Nathi Mthethwa revealed this to Parliament when replying to questions yesterday. He said members were normally suspended as a precautionary measure pending the investigation and finalisation of those cases.

Mthethwa also alluded to the failure by some police stations in parts of the country to forward complaints to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) on time and to assist it in fulfilling its constitutional mandate as the police watchdog.

"In terms of Ipid Act, the station commander must, immediately after becoming aware, notify the Directorate of any matters referred to it within 24 hours thereafter ...

"Any police officer who fails to comply with this Act is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years."

Answering questions on the war against syndicates that target jewellery stores and ATM robberies, he said: "A number of strategies were developed ... which include high visibility in identified hot spot areas, intensified police actions to squeeze the space for criminals and operations are conducted on a weekly basis by clusters and stations." - moengk@sowetan.co.za