Tag Archives: The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management

Crime intelligence unit under scrutiny 

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Picture: The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng

By OBAKENG MAJE 

22 February 2025- The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, Freddy Sonakile said there are many areas that need to be addressed regarding crime intelligence within the police in the province. Sonakile said they have seen this with the Stilfontein mine saga.

“It took the police more than two years to uncover illegal migrants underground. The latest one being the escape of the alleged underground kingpin, who is Lesotho national, Neo Tsoaeli, where the police officers were arrested for orchestrating it. 

“I think it highlights serious challenges that need urgent attention. We need serious engagement with the police and other stakeholders to address our porous borders,” he said. 

Sonakile further said the crime intelligence unit within the SAPS needs to be strengthened. He added that, more often, intelligence appears to be failing whether in preventing Cash-in-Transit heist, tackling drug trafficking in the province or even dismantling organised crime. 

“While there have been some successes, concerns remain about rogue elements within the intelligence that undermine its effectiveness. So, I believe we need strong oversight mechanisms in place to ensure accountability and prevent corruption within the intelligence structures,” said Sonakile. 

The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) spokesperson in North West, Mzukisi Jam shared the same sentiments. Jam said they are not happy regarding the effectiveness of crime intelligence with the SAPS. 

“Honestly, we can never be happy with crime intelligence and how everything is happening. Most importantly, we are disappointed in our own North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, because we were of the view that he will do better considering the fact that he is young and from the ranks of the ANCYL. 

“He also grew up among the very same communities that are crime ridden. Morweng would at least have a clear insight as to what exactly needs to be done, but he seems to be clueless,” he said.

Jam said a typical example is the issue of Stilfontein. He said while they were busy dealing with the humanitarian crisis there, they then realised that the reason why the police were sceptical in saving the lives of illegal miners, is because they were working with the kingpins. 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) provincial secretary, Papikie Babuile said: “Basically, there is no crime intelligence in South Africa at all. It has collapsed and we no longer have people that we call informants. 

“If the SAPS had informants, all these activities that are happening in the province would not be happening,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said crime intelligence is a component within the police, but intelligence is the responsibility of the SASSA, Crime Intelligence and Defence intelligence. 

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Portfolio Committee probe North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng to determine facts surrounding rape incident   

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Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, Freddy Sonakile said they have received a formal request to investigate whether the alleged rape incident that involves the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng’s cronies, took place at the room that was booked for Morweng by the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) or not.

This comes after Morweng’s cronies, Tebogo Metswamere and Puleng Mosadi, who were both ANCYL Deputy Convener and Coordinator in the Ngaka Modiri Molema Region respectively, were arrested for allegedly raping a woman (33). According to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) provincial spokesperson, Fanon Moema, the alleged rape, took place at Protea Hotel in Mahikeng, in the same room where Morweng was booked in by the NWPL.

“Mosadi is employed by Mmabana Foundation, where Morweng was the CEO, prior to being appointed as MEC. We are grimly concerned by the rise of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and patriarchal relations that have taken a different turn, which sees women being raped by the very people who are tasked with the responsibility to lead, protect and shower them with love.

“It is also alleged that the victim was faced with hurdles when she went to open a case, wherein police officers in Mmabatho Police Station were insensitive and reluctant to open a case. It is quite evident with the high level of victims in cases of this nature that the political elites in this country enjoy impunity at the expense of the most vulnerable,” he said.

Moema further said clearly, the moral fabric that is espoused in the constitution has been trampled on by the political elites, who have turned executive offices into a predatory state and as a result, the communities are left grieving during a Women’s Month.

He added that a fish rots from the head and as such, it is unacceptable for Morweng, who is responsible for Community Safety and Transport Management portfolio, to continue to hold such a prestigious office that is at the epicentre of righteousness, protection and moral guidance.

“We call for Morweng, together with the two accused persons, to resign from public offices. We will be on the ground to monitor developments of this case closely and provide necessary support to the victims, families, friends and the grieving communities at large.

“We call upon community members to attend to the court case on 2 September 2024, and ensure that we voice out our dismay in demand of justice,” said Moema.

It is also alleged that Metswamere was earmarked to be appointed as a Support of Staff Officer in Morweng’s Office.

Sonakile said: “We have noted the allegations that are in the media space with regards to who paid for the room, where the rape is alleged to have taken place. Last week, we also received a formal request for an investigation from community activists. 

“We would not want to make any aspersions, so we have written to both the Legislature and the department to clarify the issue of the payment towards the booking. Once we receive the responses, we will table it before the committee, so that a decision on the way forward can be taken.”

Meanwhile, it is also alleged that Morweng has tried to bribe the alleged rape victim with R100 000 to drop rape charges. However, Morweng spokesperson, Charles Matlou refuted the allegations. 

“As had been indicated in a media statement we issued then, Morweng had called on all to allow the law to take its course. There is no truth at all in the insinuations that Morweng interfered in this matter.”

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