COSATU Western Cape Statement on Crime

25 May 2015

COSATU in the Western Cape calls on SAPS and the army to also investigate and arrest the corrupt political leaders of gangs

COSATU welcomes operation Fiela and the leadership of the SAPS and the various agencies to address the crime crises in the City of Cape Town.

COSATU wants SAPS to take control of the coordination and operationalisation of the crime fighting strategy for the City of Cape Town.

COSATU also wants to see the integration of Metro Police into SAPS, working within a clear mandate that targets all gangs. The SAPS driven process must investigate the collusion between gangs and leaders of the safety structures in the City of Cape Town.

The wastage of resources on toys and gimmicks by JP Smith that have had no meaningful impact on the crime situation, must be stopped immediately.

The attempts by JP Smith to pitch up at crime operations after the fact, to claim the limelight is part of his tactic of politicising the crime fighting responsibility in our City of Cape Town.

The reality is that there is a need for an investigation into the role that JP Smith has played in crime fighting, given that crime in Cape Town has gotten worse under his watch.

SAPS must not only investigate the gangsters for corruption, but also investigate the sheriff who fiddles with shot spotters and other gimmicks whilst the City is burning.

COSATU calls on its members to work with this important initiative and to have these initiatives expanded into other areas as well. It is good that the State shows that it is in charge of the Country and will make life safe for our people. Our people must not be left to the criminal elements and their corrupt political masters.

Statement issued by Tony Ehrenreich, COSATU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, May 25 2015