The Acting Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Major General Tommy Mthombeni has commended the efficiency with which an internal investigation into a video clip circulating on social media, depicting people off-loading merchandise from a marked police van, has been conducted.
On Tuesday 12 January 2021 the media monitoring team of the SAPS in Gauteng took note of the said video clip and immediately brought it to the attention of management, whereafter an urgent investigation was launched to establish its origin as well as the location of the scene, the identities of the persons on the video, confirmation of what was being delivered, and to establish which office or station the vehicle is attached to.
The investigation led by the District Commissioner of Tshwane, Major General Hilda Mohajane was swiftly concluded, leading to the opening of a case of using a motor vehicle without owner’s’ consent, and contravention of the Disaster Management Act Adjusted Level 3 Lockdown Regulations, against a member of the South African Police Service.
It was found that the incident happened at a shopping mall in a part of Centurion policed by Lyttleton SAPS, and that an unconfirmed volume of liquor was being off-loaded from the SAPS van, suggesting that the state vehicle was used to illegally convey alcohol in contravention of the Adjusted Level 3 Lockdown Regulations.
Subsequently, departmental proceedings will also be activated in relation to the alleged improper conduct of the member.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner has further appreciated the role of the public who after the origin of the video clip was established, cooperated and assisted police in the preliminary investigation.
“When we saw the video clip our immediate concern was that no detail could be made out at face value, not even which Province the incident happened at. An urgent and intensive investigation was therefore required to get to the bottom of this matter. It is thus pleasing that the investigating officer and everyone who contributed to the investigation, understood the seriousness with which management of the SAPS viewed this incident,” cited Major General Mthombeni.
“Members of the public are urged to continue to report non-compliance with the Regulations and should not fear especially when the transgressors are members of the SAPS or other law enforcement agencies. No one is above the law,” concluded the Acting Provincial Commissioner.
