MINISTER MTHETHWA URGES RESEARCHERS TO BE OBJECTIVE: Rooting out corrupt tsotsi-cops from SAPS forms part of fighting crime, smartly and toughly
CAPE TOWN - 14 February 2011. The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa today reiterated a call he made last year to all research institutions, academics, analysts and scholars; that they have a critical role in the fight and reduction of crime in South Africa. However in their contribution to the cause, they need to ensure that they contribute objectively.
This is in lieu of the recently-published research paper by the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR), titled "Broken Blue Line: The involvement of the South African Police Force in serious and violent crime in South Africa - A research paper by the Unit for Risk Analysis, February 2011."
Amongst their findings, SAIRR state that allegations of policemen and women involved in perpetrating serious and violent crimes are not simply isolated incidents; that they fit into a general pattern of allegations that is common across the country. They further state that the problem of criminality involving the police does not simply relate to corruption. It would appear that police officers are often alleged to be active participants in serious and violent crimes as audacious as ATM bombings and house robberies.
However the ministry believes that crime and corruption are societal challenges which cut across all sectors. A few days ago, our elite unit the Hawks arrested bogus doctors, from last year we have been arresting and closing down bogus colleges and indeed even arresting bogus cops. "There has been a concerted drive from this police leadership to fight crime smartly and toughly, which by the way includes rooting those tsotsi-cops who may be amongst us. And we have been forthright about this. Whether the SAIRR chooses to deliberately or subjectively ignore this fact, our mission will continue unhindered," stated the Minister.
"While we welcome contributions from all researchers, we believe it serves no intention when they go on misleading campaigns in order to articulate their findings. Perhaps an even better approach would have been to come to us, present their findings and together we work towards finding sustainable solutions in fighting crime. For the record, some of the SAPS members, who were found guilty by courts of law, were additionally either dismissed and or additional internal disciplinary measures imposed on them by the department," stated Minister Mthethwa.