29 October 1997
Neer: no racial slant to police appointment
BISHO -- Eastern Cape Safety and Security MEC Dennis Neer has denied that the argument over the failure to appoint a new provincial police commissioner has racial overtones.
He said: "The fact that a new commissioner has not been appointed is a concern to me, as it is to everybody. It's true that we have not agreed with the national commissioner's recommendations, but it is not a racial issue."
A weekend newspaper claimed he was deliberately stalling the appointment of a new commissioner because the two top candidates were white.
National police Commissioner George Fivaz recommended that acting Eastern Cape commissioner Nico Slabber get the top post.
Previous commissioner Gerrie Bezuidenhout took early retirement eight months ago.
When approached after a legislature safety and security standing committee meeting, Mr Neer said: "The issue is about transformation and a person who can carry through the programme of community policing."
He said national Safety and Security Minister Sydney Mufamadi was mediating in the dispute between himself and Comm Fivaz.
He said dates for meetings to find a solution to the impasse will be determined according to Mr Mufamadi's schedule.
"The issue of the appointment is now in the hands of the minister."
He would not comment on whether the post would be readvertised and recruitment restarted.
Mr Neer denied that he had met his permanent secretary Dumisani Mafu, Premier Makhenkesi Stofile, and others in Umtata on Friday.
He said he was in the Transkei only on Saturday and had not seen Mr Stofile since the provincial executive council meeting on Wednesday last week.
Mr Mafu said he was out of the province. -- ECN
