Opposition parties wants meeting with WC SAPS about political interference

Opposition parties in the Western Cape are calling for an urgent meeting with Western Cape Police Commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, to address the importance of safeguarding the South African Police Services’ (SAPS) investigations from political interference.

The African National Congress (ANC), GOOD, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Freedom Front (FF) Plus, and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) in the Western Cape Legislature wants clarification on an alleged tipoff about a raid that was conducted at the City of Cape Town offices, last week.

On Friday, SAPS specialised crime unit pounced on the offices of Cape Town Safety and Security MMC JP Smith and Energy MMC Xanthea Limberg, as part of investigations into a tender fraud case in the construction sector within the municipality.

The parties pointed out that Smith and DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille had claimed that they were tipped off about the investigation last year. Smith also claimed that the investigation is politically motivated and part of a plot against him.

In a joint statement, the parties said Smith & Zille’s allegations raise serious questions about the integrity of the investigation and the possibility of political interference in the work of SAPS.

‘’The police must be allowed to conduct their work with independence and integrity, free from external influence or baseless accusations. If the allegations made by Smith and Zille are without foundation, it reflects poorly on their leadership and raises further doubts about the Democratic Alliance’s fitness to govern.’’

‘’We urge the SAPS to remain steadfast in its commitment to justice and transparency, ensuring that those who are implicated are held accountable without fear or favour. The people of the Western Cape deserve answers, and this matter must be addressed with urgency to restore public confidence in our institutions,’’ read the statement.

According to the opposition, they do not want to know about the progress of the investigation. They want Patekile to address the alleged tip-off to Smith that he was under investigation; ⁠Whether there is any substance to Smith and Zille’s claim of political machinations behind the investigation; and The importance of safeguarding SAPS investigations from political interference.

‘’We will restrict our discussion to the issues raised above. We respect the integrity and necessary independence of the investigation,’’ read the joint statement.

OPPOSITION PARTIES (ANC, GOOD, EFF, FF PLUS, PA) CALL FOR URGENT MEETING WITH PROVINCIAL POLICE COMMISSIONER TO CLARIFY JP SMITH/HELEN ZILLE CLAIMS pic.twitter.com/rTQWK6GmWm

— Khalid Sayed MPL (@MKhalidSayed) January 29, 2025

Meanwhile, the National Coloured Congress (NCC) laid charges against the DA Chairperson of the Federal Council, Helen Zille, on Monday. The party accuses Zille of defeating the ends of justice. The party says Zille confessed that she was tipped off about the investigation, which contravenes the law.

 

Done by: Mitchum George