WC MEC of Community Safety raises concern on crime

Mbasa Gqokoma
16 March 2015

Western Cape MEC of Community Safety Dan Plato has raised his concerns regarding the increase in criminals who are allegedly impersonating police officers.

Earlier this month six suspects were arrested for posing as police officers and committed a robbery at a factory in Langlaagte.

MEC Plato in a statement said these incidents cannot be dismissed as isolated.

 Ministerial Spokesperson Ewald Botha says these trail outflows raises serious questions which Mr Plato would like to see answered whether the perpetrators are police officers, how they getting themselves in police equipment and resources, and most worrying where are the guns coming from.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Armo Lamoer has already arrested a number of such officers for corruption and criminal behaviour in the province and Mr Plato will continue to apprehend the bad behaviour shown by these guilty officers, Botha added.

Meanwhile MEC Plato said he is also concerned about a report released in last month which showed that extensive police involvement in perpetrating serious and violent crimes continues.

MEC Plato added that criminals who commit such crimes need to face the full might of the law.

Ministerial Spokesperson Ewald Botha says Minister Plato feels that the SAPS must also take control of the current situation and also take stock of their equipment and fire arms.

 Mr Plato will subsequently be asking the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Armo Lamoer for a full version on criminality within the SAPS in the province, issuing and control of the uniforms, equipment and police regalia as well as information regarding the so active approach to combat crime, Botha added.