Cape Town - Criticism has surfaced regarding the recent reinstatement of Western Cape crime intelligence boss, Major-General Mzwandile Tiyo, who had been dismissed from his position several months ago.
Tiyo will be encouraged to retire early, after he was fired following a Section 34 inquiry to establish his fitness to hold office.
This, after allegations that he “lost” a laptop and a firearm, and used crime intelligence resources to find the thieves before assaulting them.
The theft happened in 2022 while Tiyo was at a tavern.
The belongings were in a car parked outside the Mbekweni establishment in Paarl.
News of his return to work this week sparked concern over the ethics of the SAPS.
Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Anroux Marais, said reinstating the sacked crime intelligence boss was a miscarriage of justice.
She expressed her anger at the re-appointment of the disgraced head of crime, and promised to “get to the bottom of exactly how this was allowed to happen”.
“This is disgraceful and an insult. I am furious about Tiyo’s reinstatement, and the Western Cape Government will fight his return to his post with all power at our disposal. This is a disgraceful decision by the national leadership at the SAPS.
“This move shows once again why policing powers in our province must be devolved to the provincial government.
“This miscarriage of justice would happen under our watch.
“For too long, crime intelligence in the Western Cape had failed in helping to prevent or curb violent crime. If this critical policing unit is to turn itself around, the likes of Tiyo should be kept well away from the SAPS. He cannot be allowed to return. This cannot stand. We will not allow it.”
The Portfolio Committee on Police committed to formally raising the matter to get an official account of the status of the Section 34 inquiry.
Committee chairperson, Ian Cameron, said: “The unfortunate thing is that such actions negatively affect the morale of the good officers within the service and the people on the ground continue to suffer under the tremendous stress induced by crime, when taxpayer’s monies must now be used to finance lost salaries and pension payouts.
“Also, the national instruction 3/2017 is clear that employees with pending criminal or departmental cases against them will not be allowed to apply for early retirement, unless recommended by the national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, a Provincial Commissioner, a Divisional Commissioner or National Component head after taking into consideration the seriousness of the pending case.
“The committee is of the view that the national instruction renders the purported encouragement of Tiyo to take early retirement illogical.”
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), however, welcomed Tiyo’s reinstatement.
“His reinstatement comes after he followed the correct internal remedies to appeal the decision of his dismissal.
“It is important to note that every member of the South African Police Services has this fundamental right to lodge an appeal and the SAPS may vary or confirm the decision.”
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za