SAPS launches probe into alleged links between gangs and cops
|Published
Cape Town - The SAPS have confirmed they would investigate “serious and concerning” allegations made by Western Cape High Court Judge Daniel Thulare, relating to corrupt links between gangs and cops.
Judge Thulare lashed out against the corrupt operations of SAPS officials who allegedly have links to organised crime.
Gangsters, he said, had “moved gear upwards”, infiltrating the justice system.
Judge Thulare made the statements as he denied bail to alleged gangsters, Elcardo Adams and Alfonso Cloete, where evidence in the case pointed to how cops, allegedly on gang payrolls, shared confidential police information with gangsters for personal gain.
National SAPS spokesperson, Mathapelo Peters, said: “The SAPS has taken note of and is in the process of studying the judgment delivered by Western Cape High Court Judge Daniel Thulare.
“The SAPS views the allegations made in the judgment as serious and concerning. The allegations will therefore be investigated by the relevant environments within the service.”
Widow of slain top cop Charl Kinnear, Nicolette Kinnear, said the police and police ombudsman would have to “prepare to dig and drill down”.
“The ombudsman has his work cut out for him. It’s no use we now again just scraping the surface and the rot continues to fester underneath.
“This indeed shouldn't be seen or used as just another political pillow fight between a DA-run province and SAPS falling under national ANC.
“People are dying. We might as well say we are at war as high as how murder stats are.
The damage that has already been caused in the Western Cape is unmeasurable,” Kinnear said.
Kinnear said she commended the judge for his “boldness to state publicly what others are whispering in corridors”.
“My husband penned this down in 2018 already. I said it right from the start. The days of putting bandaids on to cover things up are long gone,” she said.
“Inquiry after inquiry (is held) but no one is held accountable. Our entire justice system in Western Cape is in trouble,” said Kinnear.
Anti-crime activist and whistle-blower, Zona Morton, said Judge Thulare’s statements should not come as a surprise and neither should it shock politicians.
“There has in the past been profound evidence of this being the case.
The evidence adduced during a criminal trial is now causing the premier and police minister to act.
Many whistle-blowers and 204 witnesses have paid the highest price for trying to expose this in the past.
“Kinnear (mentioned) this in his 59-page complaint he submitted in 2018 as well.
“Kinnear paid the highest price while SAPS thought nothing of Kinnear or his family and disgustingly withdrew his protection,” said Morton.
Cape Times