Senior cops’ alleged criminal ties undermine confidence within ranks, says union

NATIONAL Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola’s office has yet to provide a way forward regarding damning allegations linking two senior police officials to criminal networks, claims the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) says will further damage the image of the police.

The Madlanga Commission was told this week that national head of the SAPS Organised Crime Unit, Major General Richard Shibiri, had direct contact with alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, and that money was exchanged in return for information on how to counter certain police investigations.

Before these claims, the same commission was told that KwaZulu-Natal head of the Hawks, Major General Lesetja Senona, had a close and beneficial relationship with a known criminal implicated in serious offences, including attempted murder and corruption.

Approached for comment on why these officers were still at work, in light of the seriousness of the allegations, the police ministry said the matter was disciplinary in nature and referred questions to the national police office. 

National police did not respond to requests for comment by deadline. 

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) said the Madlanga Commission was instituted to investigate allegations involving police services (SAPS and MPS) and other law enforcement agencies. 

“IPID’s position is that we need to allow the Commission to proceed with its mandate and thus will not comment on media enquiries falling within the scope of the commission,” said Ipid spokesperson, Lizzy Suping. 

Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said said when senior officers face such claims yet remain in active positions without transparent updates or decisive institutional responses, it inevitably undermines confidence within the ranks and sends a discouraging message to junior officers who are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards

“While these are serious claims that warrant thorough investigation, we must emphasise the importance of due process and the principle of “innocent until proven guilty. We are equally mindful of the damaging impact such allegations can have on the morale, credibility, and overall image of the South African Police Service (SAPS).”  

Criminologist Dr Simon Howell said the allegations had a damaging effect on public trust, but given the operational constraints within the police, the officers should remain on duty while being kept away from cases in which they are implicated.

“If they are integral to continued operations then it’s better that they are at work at least doing something, than sitting at home doing nothing in my view. But they should be kept far away from the cases that they have been implicated in and far away from any contact with those individuals who they’ve been highlighted as having spoken to,” said Howell.

Cape Times