The policeman who murdered four people at the Alexandra police station had received treatment for anger management issues.
Despite this – and his firearm being taken away from him in March – he was handed a weapon by his colleagues on the night his girlfriend was trying open a case of domestic violence against him.
With that weapon‚ Constable Ronnie Masie shot dead four people‚ including his girlfriend‚ before he was later killed in a shootout with tactical response team members.
Provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Lesetja Joel Mothiba told a parliamentary portfolio committee on Wednesday that three people have been suspended for failing to adhere to proper procedures in giving Masie the gun.
A preliminary investigation showed that Masie obtained a firearm under the false pretence that he was to escort a prisoner.
“The member was not supposed to have been in possession of a firearm. The constable’s firearm had been taken due to domestic violence cases‚” the SAPS said on their Twitter account.
The police station’s handling of a troubled colleague also concerned the general‚ who told MPs: “The preliminary investigation shows that when the firearm was taken away in March 2015‚ there was no disciplinary inquiry and there was no inquiry to see if he was fit to possess a firearm”.
Masie’s performance at work had been a problem for several years‚ the general revealed.
Multiple interventions by his employer‚ the SAPS‚ had seen him first referred to seek help in 2011 and in 2012.
“The constable had been referred (to South African Police Service Employee Health and Wellness desk) a number of times but it was always a challenge.
“The member lacked discipline and acted aggressively towards his superiors‚” Mothiba said.
In 2013‚ after “continuous services” by the Employee Health and Wellness desk‚ the constable was admitted at the Wedge Gardens Treatment Centre.
He was “attended to for 21 days to deal with anger management issues”.
As recently as March this year‚ he was again referred to the police’s Health and Wellness Desk.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) are investigating the case.
SAPS Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega‚ who visited the station on the night of the fatal shootings‚ also promised that the SAPS investigation would be in-depth so that the service could learn from the incident and avoid tragedy in future.
Three cops suspended for handing gun to killer Alex policeman
The policeman who murdered four people at the Alexandra police station had received treatment for anger management issues.
Despite this – and his firearm being taken away from him in March – he was handed a weapon by his colleagues on the night his girlfriend was trying open a case of domestic violence against him.
With that weapon‚ Constable Ronnie Masie shot dead four people‚ including his girlfriend‚ before he was later killed in a shootout with tactical response team members.
Provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Lesetja Joel Mothiba told a parliamentary portfolio committee on Wednesday that three people have been suspended for failing to adhere to proper procedures in giving Masie the gun.
A preliminary investigation showed that Masie obtained a firearm under the false pretence that he was to escort a prisoner.
“The member was not supposed to have been in possession of a firearm. The constable’s firearm had been taken due to domestic violence cases‚” the SAPS said on their Twitter account.
The police station’s handling of a troubled colleague also concerned the general‚ who told MPs: “The preliminary investigation shows that when the firearm was taken away in March 2015‚ there was no disciplinary inquiry and there was no inquiry to see if he was fit to possess a firearm”.
Masie’s performance at work had been a problem for several years‚ the general revealed.
Multiple interventions by his employer‚ the SAPS‚ had seen him first referred to seek help in 2011 and in 2012.
“The constable had been referred (to South African Police Service Employee Health and Wellness desk) a number of times but it was always a challenge.
“The member lacked discipline and acted aggressively towards his superiors‚” Mothiba said.
In 2013‚ after “continuous services” by the Employee Health and Wellness desk‚ the constable was admitted at the Wedge Gardens Treatment Centre.
He was “attended to for 21 days to deal with anger management issues”.
As recently as March this year‚ he was again referred to the police’s Health and Wellness Desk.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) are investigating the case.
SAPS Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega‚ who visited the station on the night of the fatal shootings‚ also promised that the SAPS investigation would be in-depth so that the service could learn from the incident and avoid tragedy in future.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos