Winde considers course of action into police and gangs collusion report

The report by the Western Cape Police Ombudsman following an inquiry into the links between the SAPS in the province and the 28s gangs has been finalised.

Also read: Deputy Police Minister acknowledges ties between SAPS and gangs

This comes following a judgement in the Western Cape High Court in October, when Judge Daniel Thulare stated there was evidence that gang members had infiltrated top management structures of the police in the province.

According to the judgement, gang members were accessing key documents and crime-fighting strategies.

Subsequently, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde stated that the judgement highlighted alleged deep-rooted collusion and corruption between law enforcement and members of the 28s gang.

In his ruling, Judge Thulare said that this included “penetration of and access to the sanctity of the reports by specialised units like the Anti-Gang Unit and Crime Intelligence, to the Provincial Commissioner.” 

The judgement added that the gang had the protection and assistance of corrupt members of the SAPS.

Yesterday, the premier announced that the provincial police ombudsman, Major-General Oswald Reddy, had handed over his final report in mid-November, following a thorough investigation that was launched at Winde’s request.

The premier said that provincial SAPS management had been given the opportunity to respond to the judgement as part of this investigation. The Hawks were also consulted.

He added that the allegations were likely to be substantiated and he was now studying the report and considering his next course of action.

“There must be decisive consequences for those found to be colluding with gangs,” Winde stated. “This includes senior officials under whose watch this has been allowed to happen.” “I met the SAPS provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile to discuss the findings of the report.”

“I will be holding further engagements on the ombud’s report and will share this with the public as soon as I am in a position to do so.”

“What is clear is that this infiltration likely extends far beyond this particular case, and also that dangerous forces are at play here. We must be decisive and consider our next steps to address this issue, making sure we can break these links, and make headway against gangsterism.”

Also read:

“Collusion between SAPS and members of the so-called 28’s gang”

Picture: Cape{town}Etc Library

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