The Gauteng provincial Police Commissioner, Lt.-Gen. Elias Mawela’s, silence on the directive issued by one of his station commanders on the reporting of incidents is unacceptable and alarming.
The letter by Meyerton’s station commander, Col. Lepitla, prohibits all police officers from opening a case docket for serious or ordinary assault, malicious damage to property and robbery if there is no suspect.
Col. Lepitla, furthermore, claims that it is a direct instruction from the provincial Commissioner.
In the letter, police members are also requested to, where a suspect has been identified, discuss the case with four senior officers.
This arrangement is to the detriment of victims as those who have been robbed, for instance, need a case docket number to lodge a claim with their insurance company.
It is deterring people from reporting incidents.
The directive is also indirectly encouraging people to investigate matters themselves, while it is a task meant to be carried out by trained detectives.
These crimes must not be regarded as less important than murder and all the other serious offences.
The FF Plus sent an official letter about the matter to Lt.-Gen. Mawela in May this year, but has had no response as yet.
And in the meantime, Meyerton residents are being disadvantaged.
This absurd instruction demonstrates contempt for the justice system and such untruths must not be tolerated.
Implementing the directive has an influence on Gauteng and, ultimately, national crime statistics.
The FF Plus has, therefore, requested a personal meeting with the Commissioner to discuss the matter with him.
Read the original article in Afrikaans by Kobus Hoffman on FF Plus
