Durban — The DA in KwaZulu-Natal would be writing to the province’s police commissioner and the MEC for community safety calling for an audit of the updated criminal records of all police officers.
DA KZN community safety and liaison spokesperson Sharon Hoosen said that besides the audit of the updated criminal records of all police officers, the party was also going to call for a list of the number of officers involved in disciplinary action due to fraud, corruption, abuse, and murder.
On Wednesday, Sergeant Sibonelo Christopher Shabangu appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court.
He is charged with the murder of Qaphela Mdiba, who he allegedly shot with his service pistol outside Casablanca Lifestyle in Molweni, Hillcrest on November 25, for allegedly leaning against his car. The case was adjourned to March. Shabangu is out on R5 000 bail.
State prosecutor Nomcebo Xulu said the ballistics and post-mortem reports, and the crime scene photographs were outstanding.
Hoosen said the DA will call for a full lifestyle audit of all SAPS officers and a list of the number of Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) investigations into allegations of police brutality.
Hoosen said there seemed to be a marked increase in SAPS officers involved in criminality. Hoosen said this type of behaviour is an embarrassment to law enforcement in the province and must be reviewed by both the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, as well as provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
“This is actually a poor reflection on the management, as there is clearly a lack of proper processes in place when officers join the department. The party believes that officers of the law are supposed to be serving and protecting people and not being part of the criminal club that existed,” she said.
Hoosen said people of KZN put their lives at risk every day, whether it is in travelling to work, using the roads, using public transport or even sleeping in their own homes.
“People are fearful of criminal elements. We have not seen any relief when it comes to the release of crime statistics. Instead, our province gets worse every day with some law enforcement members also being part of the pack and killing women, and members of the public. This has to stop, this matter cannot be taken lightly any more,” Hoosen said.
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