I knew it was bad, but that bad??"At least 830 of KwaZulu-Natal's (KZN) law-enforcement officers are under investigation for a host of crimes ranging from assault through to rape and murder, figures released by the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) revealed on Wednesday.
Of the 830 officers -- which include members of the South African Police Services, eThekwini metro police and other municipal police services -- only one officer has been convicted."
Don't they realize there is a problem somewhere?
"KwaZulu-Natal provincial head of the ICD, Tabisa Ralo, on Wednesday said that of the 830 officers being probed, 174 are being scrutinized for deaths in police custody or as a result of police action.
Another 289 are being investigated for misconduct, while 351 are under investigation for failing to carry out their duties.
She said misconduct cases include assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, rape, indecent assault, extortion and corruption.
Up to 16 police officers had domestic violence cases file"
And how many police officers are committing suicide or family murders?
The statistics for the whole country are absolutely frightening, but for someone who lives in KZN, the blood runs ice cold at the following statement:
"More people died at the hands of KwaZulu-Natal's law-enforcement officers than any other province."
Now that's really cool!!!
As if the social pressures of transformation in our society and the associated crime aren't enough, I'm more likely to get get killed by a cop in KZN than anywhere else in South Africa. I'm sure that's not a fact Tourism KZN will want to trumpet at the next Tourism Indaba.
However, Ralo assures the public that :"The role of the ICD forms part of an ongoing commitment to transform policing in South Africa ."
But what I want to know is what are they doing about screening applicants; training and skilling them; providing psychological counseling and paying them better? Isn't that easier than investigating and court cases and ...
eThekwini Metro police spokesperson Superintendent John Tyala says he believes that less then ten metro officers were under investigation by the ICD. (Ralo says 28).
He assures the public that :"Our management has committed itself to clamp down on corruption and this has served as a deterrent to other members."
Then Tyala urges members of the public not to attempt to bribe his officers. (And listen to this)
"Don't bribe our members because you will be enticing them ... they too have families and if they lose their jobs what will be their future?" he said. "They will be unemployed."
Oh wow, and this is the spokesperson for the eThekwini Metro Police?
Do I care about the future of corrupt policemen and women? If they are corrupt they should not only be unemployed they should be behind bars, Superintendent Tyla.
But as I said before, if they are better screened and trained and paid and counseled (because they really have dangerous jobs), but hey, as the saying goes... I'm pissing into the wind.
I just hate to think what these kind of statistics and this kind of press does for the good cops, and yes there are many of them.
Report Corrupt Cops
In KZN one can report a complaint against a law enforcement official to the ICD on 031 3101300 or visit its offices in Kingsfield Place, Field Street, Durban
And if one of the Metro Police Officers in Durban steps over the line, you can report him/her to:
Mr Bheki Mkhize, Ombudsperson and Head: Investigations of the eThekwini Municipality
e-mail: Ombuds@durban.gov.za or download a form.
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