By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
21 November 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Police said on Wednesday, it has learnt with dismay that investigations into allegations of mismanagement at the Phillipi Training College have made little progress over the last two months. This comes after the South African Police Service (SAPS) gave the committee a preliminary update and a more comprehensive briefing is planned for next week.
The Chairperson of Committee, Ian Cameron said they conducted an oversight visit to the college in September 2024, following allegations of mismanagement, criminal activity at the training academy, corruption and leadership failures that threatened the academy’s effectiveness and, consequently, the future of policing in South Africa.
“On Wednesday, the committee heard that the complainant who gave details of fraud and corruption was interviewed, and a statement was obtained. The witnesses mentioned by the complainant were also interviewed and 19 affidavits were obtained.
“The committee also heard that the report on the internal audit is expected to be finalised soon. However, committee members expressed grave concern about the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation’s (the Hawks) slow progress in acting on allegations of blatant corruption,” he said.
Cameron further said they maintained that the update did not reveal anything new or different from what the committee had been told in September. He added that the committee also noted that the SAPS did nothing about disciplinary actions, and none of the officers who stole ammunition or commanders who covered it up were charged.
“The committee was also concerned about witnesses’ anonymity, as there are reports that witnesses were called over loudspeakers for everyone to hear. The committee wanted to know what the SAPS was doing to protect the witnesses and noted that the process followed set them up as targets instead of protecting them.
“It is either a lack of interest or there is a deliberate pushback because there has been no action whatsoever. Commanders seemingly still have access to bank accounts, and the whistle-blower, who is a good, dedicated, career police officer, has now been suspended,” said Cameron.
He said it is estimated that over R100 million has been stolen over the last six years. According to Cameron, the Hawks also did not do 205 applications in court to access bank accounts.
“Something that does not need to take longer than 24 hours. If this is how we’re going to deal with the good people in the police who speak out against corruption, then we’re not protecting whistle-blowers, and this just simply cannot be. So, someone speaks out against corruption, and it takes six years for the police and the Hawks to do something about it.
“But, we will not stop cleaning up. The committee was encouraged to hear that the Minister of Police would now intervene. It will receive further feedback next Wednesday,” he said.
The Guardian 