Western Cape Police Commissioner must discipline Vearey
The Democratic Alliance has written to Western Cape Police Commissioner Arno Lamoer calling for action to be taken against Mitchells Plain cluster commander Jeremy Vearey (see Cape Times report).
This comes after Major-General Vearey refused to apologise for attending a public rally dressed in clothing that could be seen as promoting drug use.
Instead Major-General Veary was quoted in the Cape Times today arrogantly defending the wearing of a T-shirt with a dagga leaf printed on it. His personal attack and race based response is nothing short of shocking and in all my years of public representation I have never encountered such comments from a senior civil servant.
If there was any doubts about his fitness to hold an executive staff position in the civil service he has effectively banished them with his response.
The lack of remorse from Major-General Veary and the reluctance of his superiors to discipline him shows an utter disregard for the devastating effect that drugs have on communities like Mitchells Plain.
A recent study by the University of Stellenbosch showed that the prevalence of dagga smoking in Mitchell's Plain is three times higher than the national average.
General Vearey has compounded his inappropriate actions by raising serious questions regarding his understanding of public accountability in participatory democracy.
He needs to understand that public behaviour must set an example for others given that he is the man responsible for policing drug abuse in one of the most drug affected communities in the metro.
As the provincial spokesperson for community safety, I now have no choice but to write to the provincial police commissioner, urging him to investigate the original inappropriate deed as well as the totally unacceptable response from Major-General Veary.
The most dangerous path we can take in this province where drug abuse and drug related crime is rife would be to give the impression to communities that the police are soft on drugs. What example is a person of ranking in the police setting to young people when he seems to not take this scourge seriously?
The DA trusts the Commissioner Lamoer will understand the seriousness of this matter and take action without delay.
Statement issued by Mark Wiley, DA Western Cape Spokesperson for Community Safety, June 24 2013
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