SHOCK REPORT ON SERIAL RAPISTS IN GAUTENG PROVES NEED FOR SPECIALIST UNITS

The report of the Police' National Psychological Investigative Unit in which it is warned that investigations of serial murderers and rapists could embarrass the Police as a result of the poor and pathetic investigative police work, is proof that specialist units should be re-introduced in the Police," Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), chief spokesperson on Police for the Freedom Front Plus says.

"It is clear from the report that investigating officers do not have the necessary knowledge to properly investigate these types of crimes and that the cases require specialist training from investigators. Although Commissioner Bheki Cele had said specialist units should be re-considered, it is not taking place in practice. The high crime levels in South Africa require specialist units to ensure that criminals are successfully captured and prosecuted.

Specialist units, such as the former murder and robbery unit ensured that criminals had been successfully prosecuted because the investigations had been thorough. Too many criminals in South Africa are walking around free and are committing more crime as a result of poor police investigations which do not pass the test of the courts," Groenewald said.

The Police' National Psychological Investigations Unit compiled a report and forwarded it to various Police Commissioners. Gauteng 's Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Mzwandile Petros, also received the report. The report refers to 160 cases in the past three years in Gauteng and requests that the investigations are hastened. It refers to the pathetic investigations and warns that it could become an embarrassment for the Police.

Statement issued by Mr. Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus Chief Spokesperson: Police, January 19 2011

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