Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
I normally leave for work early in the morning, when it’s still dark, but last week I was in for a surprise unless I’m really stupid. The reason being that since uploading “Crimes of the South African Police” I noticed on this particular morning there was a truck parked in the road facing my vehicle but with its hazard lights on. The same place where a black man in full military camouflage stood on a previous occasion. Driving on I approached a robot which turned green and as I neared the traffic light a huge gold Toyota 4x 4 cab pulled up beside me and drove slowly down the road with me virtually side by side. I turned left and it proceeded on but at another spot a white utility was parked inappropriately near another traffic light. Again I turned right and proceeded on. At a stop sign another white utility was parked on the curb. After work on my arrival home a white utility had parked outside my property. The interesting thing about all the above is that my son’s vehicle is gold, and the vehicle parked outside my property was the same model as his vehicle, except that the parked vehicle was a utility. By the way i also drive a white utility. The following day as I left for work another white utility was parked on the pavement at a calming circle in a totally inappropriate spot again. Makes you think!
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Specialised traffic unit, Jaws of Life, cop clocked at 246km/h
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Klerksdorp - A traffic officer from the elite Jaws of Life traffic unit in North West province was recently caught on a speed camera doing 246km/h in a 120km/h zone.
A complaint received via Beeld about the alleged lawless behaviour of this unit (which replaced the former Transvaal Provincial Administration's traffic department in this province) was called "unconvincing" by the spokesperson of the responsible MEC, Frans Vilakazi.
But when asked to comment on the officer's behaviour, he backtracked.
"Unfortunately I can't discuss this with the media. There are security measures that need to be taken into account when I give out information," said Mandla Mathebula, spokesperson for North West's MEC for roads, safety and public security.
The traffic violation was allegedly committed on the N12 near Wolmaransstad.
Unpaid fines
According to a document seen by Beeld, Jaws has accumulated unpaid fines of R216 978 at the Maquassi Hills municipality only.
"We are not aware of this outstanding amount. The fact that you know about it and we don't makes me smell a rat," said Mathebula.
About two weeks ago, Dewald du Bruyn, a businessman from Kosmos near Hartbeespoort, complained to Beeld that three Jaws vehicles had forced him off the Mooinooi-Brits road when they passed a truck at high speed against a solid white line.
De Bruyn's BMW 320D's custom alloy wheels were bent, causing thousands of rand of damage when he had to drive off the road to avoid an accident.
VIP escort
Mathebula told Beeld on Sunday that he was not convinced that this incident actually took place.
"We have not received a complaint about this. Nobody has told us about this, except you."
He said the Jaws team's vehicles were emergency vehicles that were used to get to emergency situations like accidents and traffic jams. They were also used to escort VIPs.
He denied in the strongest terms that it was irresponsible to drive that fast on the province's "bad" roads. Mandla Mathebula:- Head of Communications
"What do you mean by the roads are bad? I was in the Maquassi Hills area a long time ago, but the province's roads aren't that bad," Mathebula had said earlier.
Spot fine for farmer
A farmer from Wolmaransstad, Klasie Visser, had his bakkie keys confiscated at a Jaws roadblock due to an alleged outstanding traffic fine of R100.
He had to pay R300 on the spot before they would let him go.
When he produced the receipt for the R100 fine a few days later, he was told via Beeld's reporter: "Come to the department (about 200 km from Wolmaransstad) and come get your R300 and your apology".
Mathebula said more people were satisfied with the work Jaws did than the other way round.
Condoning speeding
Chris Hattingh, DA leader in North West, said it was disturbing that the MEC openly condoned speeding of this nature by travelling in speeding convoys.
The MEC also stated in an answer to a question in the legislature that provincial traffic officers were exempt from speeding regulations in the course of duty.
"All indications are there that most of the Jaws traffic violations have nothing to do with law enforcement, but with travel to and from places of work," Hatting said.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Klerksdorp - A traffic officer from the elite Jaws of Life traffic unit in North West province was recently caught on a speed camera doing 246km/h in a 120km/h zone.
A complaint received via Beeld about the alleged lawless behaviour of this unit (which replaced the former Transvaal Provincial Administration's traffic department in this province) was called "unconvincing" by the spokesperson of the responsible MEC, Frans Vilakazi.
But when asked to comment on the officer's behaviour, he backtracked.
"Unfortunately I can't discuss this with the media. There are security measures that need to be taken into account when I give out information," said Mandla Mathebula, spokesperson for North West's MEC for roads, safety and public security.
The traffic violation was allegedly committed on the N12 near Wolmaransstad.
Unpaid fines
According to a document seen by Beeld, Jaws has accumulated unpaid fines of R216 978 at the Maquassi Hills municipality only.
"We are not aware of this outstanding amount. The fact that you know about it and we don't makes me smell a rat," said Mathebula.
About two weeks ago, Dewald du Bruyn, a businessman from Kosmos near Hartbeespoort, complained to Beeld that three Jaws vehicles had forced him off the Mooinooi-Brits road when they passed a truck at high speed against a solid white line.
De Bruyn's BMW 320D's custom alloy wheels were bent, causing thousands of rand of damage when he had to drive off the road to avoid an accident.
VIP escort
Mathebula told Beeld on Sunday that he was not convinced that this incident actually took place.
"We have not received a complaint about this. Nobody has told us about this, except you."
He said the Jaws team's vehicles were emergency vehicles that were used to get to emergency situations like accidents and traffic jams. They were also used to escort VIPs.
He denied in the strongest terms that it was irresponsible to drive that fast on the province's "bad" roads. Mandla Mathebula:- Head of Communications
"What do you mean by the roads are bad? I was in the Maquassi Hills area a long time ago, but the province's roads aren't that bad," Mathebula had said earlier.
Spot fine for farmer
A farmer from Wolmaransstad, Klasie Visser, had his bakkie keys confiscated at a Jaws roadblock due to an alleged outstanding traffic fine of R100.
He had to pay R300 on the spot before they would let him go.
When he produced the receipt for the R100 fine a few days later, he was told via Beeld's reporter: "Come to the department (about 200 km from Wolmaransstad) and come get your R300 and your apology".
Mathebula said more people were satisfied with the work Jaws did than the other way round.
Condoning speeding
Chris Hattingh, DA leader in North West, said it was disturbing that the MEC openly condoned speeding of this nature by travelling in speeding convoys.
The MEC also stated in an answer to a question in the legislature that provincial traffic officers were exempt from speeding regulations in the course of duty.
"All indications are there that most of the Jaws traffic violations have nothing to do with law enforcement, but with travel to and from places of work," Hatting said.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Ximba ‘jumped 7 ranks in one day’
April 3 2011 at 03:18pm
________________________________________
Piet Viljoen drives the head of Crime Intelligence Richard Mdluli from the Boksburg Magistrate's court. Photo: Chris Collingridge, The Star
Police crime intelligence boss Lieutenant-General Richard Mdluli allegedly ensured that a man now facing a murder charge with him was promoted seven ranks in one day, the Sunday Times has reported.
Mdluli and Colonel Nkosana Sebastian Ximba were arrested this week for an alleged murder 12 years ago.
Last year, Ximba was promoted from the rank of a constable to that of colonel by Mdluli, who was described in the newspaper as his “father figure”.
The Sunday Times reported that the promotion was now the subject of an internal investigation by the Hawks, who arrested the men for the murder of Oupa Ramogibe.
Ramogibe, who was killed in Vosloorus, Boksburg, in 1999, was apparently in a love triangle involving with Mdluli and a woman.
At the time, Mdluli was the station commander at the Vosloorus police station, where Ximba also worked.
The two face charges of murder, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice with Warrant Officer Samuel Dlomo and a fourth man, who is also a colonel. - Sapa
http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/ximba-jumped-7-ranks-in-one-day-1.1051261
"Officers committing serious criminal offences must be removed from the SAPS without delay, and the DA reiterates its call for the introduction of a new code of conduct for the VIP unit, to assist in holding its officers to rigorous standards," said Kohler-Barnard.
See also
VIP unit 'deletes' SABC footage
Cop union welcomes VIP probe
Cops 'got VIP crash info wrong'
Only 2 VIP bullies fired - DA
Man 'shot' after convoy crash
VIP unit in scuffle with SABC
Posted by ZeroTolerance at 8:34 AM
http://southafrica-pig.blogspot.com/2009/01/vip-unit-from-hell.html
April 3 2011 at 03:18pm
________________________________________
Piet Viljoen drives the head of Crime Intelligence Richard Mdluli from the Boksburg Magistrate's court. Photo: Chris Collingridge, The Star
Police crime intelligence boss Lieutenant-General Richard Mdluli allegedly ensured that a man now facing a murder charge with him was promoted seven ranks in one day, the Sunday Times has reported.
Mdluli and Colonel Nkosana Sebastian Ximba were arrested this week for an alleged murder 12 years ago.
Last year, Ximba was promoted from the rank of a constable to that of colonel by Mdluli, who was described in the newspaper as his “father figure”.
The Sunday Times reported that the promotion was now the subject of an internal investigation by the Hawks, who arrested the men for the murder of Oupa Ramogibe.
Ramogibe, who was killed in Vosloorus, Boksburg, in 1999, was apparently in a love triangle involving with Mdluli and a woman.
At the time, Mdluli was the station commander at the Vosloorus police station, where Ximba also worked.
The two face charges of murder, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice with Warrant Officer Samuel Dlomo and a fourth man, who is also a colonel. - Sapa
http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/ximba-jumped-7-ranks-in-one-day-1.1051261
"Officers committing serious criminal offences must be removed from the SAPS without delay, and the DA reiterates its call for the introduction of a new code of conduct for the VIP unit, to assist in holding its officers to rigorous standards," said Kohler-Barnard.
See also
VIP unit 'deletes' SABC footage
Cop union welcomes VIP probe
Cops 'got VIP crash info wrong'
Only 2 VIP bullies fired - DA
Man 'shot' after convoy crash
VIP unit in scuffle with SABC
Posted by ZeroTolerance at 8:34 AM
http://southafrica-pig.blogspot.com/2009/01/vip-unit-from-hell.html
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Richard Mdluli Head of Police Crime Intelligence
South Africa, Government & Public Administration, Police. He was Head, Police Crime Intelligence, South Africa, Station Commander, Vosloorus police station, and also Deputy Head, Gauteng Police
Police mum on top cop arrest rumours
31 March 2011
Sapa
POLICE spokespeople remain tight-lipped amid rumours that crime intelligence boss Lieutenant-General Richard Mdluli has been arrested for murder.
Police are working. Let's allow the police to work. Any comment I can give you on this may compromise the work of the police," said Major General Nonkululeko Mbatha, spokeswoman for national police commissioner General Bheki Cele.
The National Prosecuting Authority also declined to comment on Thursday.
Several police sources informed the media on Wednesday night that a warrant of arrest had been issued for Mdluli.
The Mail & Guardian reported last week that the Hawks were probing Mdluli and Gauteng crime intelligence boss Joey Mabasa over allegations that they interfered with the Hawks' investigation into Czech fraud accused Radovan Krejcir.
But newspaper reports on Thursday morning suggested that Mdluli was being investigated for the death of an ex-lover's husband who was shot dead in February 1999.
The slain husband, Oupa Ramogibe, apparently received death threats after marrying Mdluli's ex-lover. He was allegedly told to leave her or he would be killed.
At the time, Mdluli was station commander at Vosloorus police station, east of Johannesburg, reported Beeld.
The Afrikaans daily said that 14 family members close to the murder case were put into a witness protection programme last week.
Both Beeld and The Star reported that Mdluli was supposed to have handed himself over to police on Tuesday, but failed to do so. An accomplice, however, allegedly did hand himself over.
The City Press newspaper reported earlier in March that tensions between national police commissioner General Bheki Cele and Mdluli was "sky high" after two police "spies" raided the public protector's office.
Cele was reported to be livid when he found out about the "unannounced visit" to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's Pretoria office.
Police management suspended the two counter-intelligence officers.
"An inside source told City Press that tension between Cele and Mdluli had been simmering for a while, with Mdluli being seen by Cele and his supporters as the last senior official left in the police from the Jackie Selebi era," the newspaper reported.
Mdluli was promoted from deputy head of Gauteng police to head of national crime intelligence on July 1 2009 by acting police chief Tim Williams.
http://www.peherald.com/news/article/1021
South Africa, Government & Public Administration, Police. He was Head, Police Crime Intelligence, South Africa, Station Commander, Vosloorus police station, and also Deputy Head, Gauteng Police
Police mum on top cop arrest rumours
31 March 2011
Sapa
POLICE spokespeople remain tight-lipped amid rumours that crime intelligence boss Lieutenant-General Richard Mdluli has been arrested for murder.
Police are working. Let's allow the police to work. Any comment I can give you on this may compromise the work of the police," said Major General Nonkululeko Mbatha, spokeswoman for national police commissioner General Bheki Cele.
The National Prosecuting Authority also declined to comment on Thursday.
Several police sources informed the media on Wednesday night that a warrant of arrest had been issued for Mdluli.
The Mail & Guardian reported last week that the Hawks were probing Mdluli and Gauteng crime intelligence boss Joey Mabasa over allegations that they interfered with the Hawks' investigation into Czech fraud accused Radovan Krejcir.
But newspaper reports on Thursday morning suggested that Mdluli was being investigated for the death of an ex-lover's husband who was shot dead in February 1999.
The slain husband, Oupa Ramogibe, apparently received death threats after marrying Mdluli's ex-lover. He was allegedly told to leave her or he would be killed.
At the time, Mdluli was station commander at Vosloorus police station, east of Johannesburg, reported Beeld.
The Afrikaans daily said that 14 family members close to the murder case were put into a witness protection programme last week.
Both Beeld and The Star reported that Mdluli was supposed to have handed himself over to police on Tuesday, but failed to do so. An accomplice, however, allegedly did hand himself over.
The City Press newspaper reported earlier in March that tensions between national police commissioner General Bheki Cele and Mdluli was "sky high" after two police "spies" raided the public protector's office.
Cele was reported to be livid when he found out about the "unannounced visit" to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's Pretoria office.
Police management suspended the two counter-intelligence officers.
"An inside source told City Press that tension between Cele and Mdluli had been simmering for a while, with Mdluli being seen by Cele and his supporters as the last senior official left in the police from the Jackie Selebi era," the newspaper reported.
Mdluli was promoted from deputy head of Gauteng police to head of national crime intelligence on July 1 2009 by acting police chief Tim Williams.
http://www.peherald.com/news/article/1021
Crimes of the South African Police Service
The VIP unit from hell
Friday, January 9, 2009
During the past four years, 111 members of the police's elite VIP Protection Unit - responsible for protecting the president, among others - have been charged with crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, armed robbery and the abuse of power.
The revelation comes in the wake of an undertaking by the Independent Complaints Directorate to begin a full-scale investigation into the VIP unit, which, during the past few years, has gained notoriety as road bullies.
According to the office of Safety and Security Minister Nathi Mthethwa, between 2005 and 2008:
• Six officers faced charges of murder or attempted murder;
• 10 officers faced charges of assault, or assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm;
• One officer faced a rape charge;
• 26 faced driving-related charges, most involving reckless or negligent driving. Eight of those were for driving under the influence of alcohol;
• Two officers faced charges of damage to property;
• Three faced charges of pointing a firearm, or handling a firearm under the influence of alcohol; and
• One officer faced a charge of armed robbery.
During the same period, six officers were charged with abuse of power, two for dereliction of duty and 56 for misconduct.
But according to Mthethwa, during the past five years only two members of the unit were dismissed. Five were suspended.
"The disciplinary regulations of the SAPS prescribe both remedial and punitive measures which are used as reactive responses to incidents of misconduct," he said.
"In addition, members are subjected to proactive measures, including in-service courses such as disciplinary management, customer service and labour relations.
"Personnel are also debriefed in sessions with commanders where performance is reviewed and incidents and deviations discussed, with the objective of preventing misconduct and improving operational functioning," the minister said.
The VIP unit is broken into two components - the VIP Protection Services, which has 935 members, and the Static and Mobile Security Services, with 2 371 members.
DA MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard believes that VIP officers are getting away with their criminal actions without any proper disciplinary measures being taken against them.
"The data released by the minister of safety and security illustrates how a rudderless police service has lost all ability to hold police units to account, and underscores the importance of Monday's decision by the Independent Complaints Directorate to conduct a full investigation into the unit.
"Officers committing serious criminal offences must be removed from the SAPS without delay, and the DA reiterates its call for the introduction of a new code of conduct for the VIP unit, to assist in holding its officers to rigorous standards," said Kohler-Barnard.
See also
VIP unit 'deletes' SABC footage
Cop union welcomes VIP probe
Cops 'got VIP crash info wrong'
Only 2 VIP bullies fired - DA
Man 'shot' after convoy crash
VIP unit in scuffle with SABC
Posted by ZeroTolerance at 8:34 AM
http://southafrica-pig.blogspot.com/2009/01/vip-unit-from-hell.html
Friday, January 9, 2009
During the past four years, 111 members of the police's elite VIP Protection Unit - responsible for protecting the president, among others - have been charged with crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, armed robbery and the abuse of power.
The revelation comes in the wake of an undertaking by the Independent Complaints Directorate to begin a full-scale investigation into the VIP unit, which, during the past few years, has gained notoriety as road bullies.
According to the office of Safety and Security Minister Nathi Mthethwa, between 2005 and 2008:
• Six officers faced charges of murder or attempted murder;
• 10 officers faced charges of assault, or assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm;
• One officer faced a rape charge;
• 26 faced driving-related charges, most involving reckless or negligent driving. Eight of those were for driving under the influence of alcohol;
• Two officers faced charges of damage to property;
• Three faced charges of pointing a firearm, or handling a firearm under the influence of alcohol; and
• One officer faced a charge of armed robbery.
During the same period, six officers were charged with abuse of power, two for dereliction of duty and 56 for misconduct.
But according to Mthethwa, during the past five years only two members of the unit were dismissed. Five were suspended.
"The disciplinary regulations of the SAPS prescribe both remedial and punitive measures which are used as reactive responses to incidents of misconduct," he said.
"In addition, members are subjected to proactive measures, including in-service courses such as disciplinary management, customer service and labour relations.
"Personnel are also debriefed in sessions with commanders where performance is reviewed and incidents and deviations discussed, with the objective of preventing misconduct and improving operational functioning," the minister said.
The VIP unit is broken into two components - the VIP Protection Services, which has 935 members, and the Static and Mobile Security Services, with 2 371 members.
DA MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard believes that VIP officers are getting away with their criminal actions without any proper disciplinary measures being taken against them.
"The data released by the minister of safety and security illustrates how a rudderless police service has lost all ability to hold police units to account, and underscores the importance of Monday's decision by the Independent Complaints Directorate to conduct a full investigation into the unit.
"Officers committing serious criminal offences must be removed from the SAPS without delay, and the DA reiterates its call for the introduction of a new code of conduct for the VIP unit, to assist in holding its officers to rigorous standards," said Kohler-Barnard.
See also
VIP unit 'deletes' SABC footage
Cop union welcomes VIP probe
Cops 'got VIP crash info wrong'
Only 2 VIP bullies fired - DA
Man 'shot' after convoy crash
VIP unit in scuffle with SABC
Posted by ZeroTolerance at 8:34 AM
http://southafrica-pig.blogspot.com/2009/01/vip-unit-from-hell.html
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Another VIP cop charged with assaulting a motorist
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A 27-year-old VIP unit police officer will appear in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Monday after he attacked a motorist in a road rage incident on Friday around 6pm in Villieria, Pretoria.
"The officer bumped the man's car off the road. He then proceeded to open the door of his victim's car, pulled him out and attacked him with his fists." Van der Kooi said the police officer was arrested shortly after eyewitnesses called the police. He was detained at the Villieria police station overnight.
"The officer was released on a warning on Saturday morning. He will appear on charges of common assault and reckless or negligent driving in court on Monday."
The victim was taken by an ambulance to a nearby hospital where he was still recovering, van der Kooi said.
According to Sunday's Rapport newspaper, the victim, auditor and businessman Henk Griesel, 47, had three of his teeth knocked out when the policeman assaulted him with a piece of metal. The officer, a constable, worked for the VIP protection unit in Pretoria.
http://southafrica-pig.blogspot.com/2008/11/vip-constable-smashes-motorist-in-face.html
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A 27-year-old VIP unit police officer will appear in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Monday after he attacked a motorist in a road rage incident on Friday around 6pm in Villieria, Pretoria.
"The officer bumped the man's car off the road. He then proceeded to open the door of his victim's car, pulled him out and attacked him with his fists." Van der Kooi said the police officer was arrested shortly after eyewitnesses called the police. He was detained at the Villieria police station overnight.
"The officer was released on a warning on Saturday morning. He will appear on charges of common assault and reckless or negligent driving in court on Monday."
The victim was taken by an ambulance to a nearby hospital where he was still recovering, van der Kooi said.
According to Sunday's Rapport newspaper, the victim, auditor and businessman Henk Griesel, 47, had three of his teeth knocked out when the policeman assaulted him with a piece of metal. The officer, a constable, worked for the VIP protection unit in Pretoria.
http://southafrica-pig.blogspot.com/2008/11/vip-constable-smashes-motorist-in-face.html
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Zuma zips through Limpopo at '180km/h'
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Heavy metal thunder as JZ storms through
On the day that a KwaZulu-Natal magistrate was lambasting the police's VIP protection unit for "terrorising road users and having no regard for the law" it was reported that ANC President Jacob Zuma's 33-vehicle motorcade ripped through Limpopo, often travelling three times faster than the speed limit.
With blue and white lights flashing, the motorcade zipped over zebra crossings in built-up areas at 180km/h where the speed limit is clearly marked at 60km/h.
At one point, the convoy stretched over more than 1km. Traffic officers drove ahead, forcing traffic in both directions off the road while their colleagues blocked off every crossing on the route to allow the convoy unimpeded progress.
Then came the so-called "blue-light bullies" of the VIP protection unit, who zig-zagged in front of and behind the three-vehicle hub carrying the ANC leader and his company, which included ANC Treasurer-General Mathews Phosa.
Rifle barrels protruded menacingly from one of these vehicles as motorists scrambled to get out of the way.
On the same day, magistrate Thys Taljaard denied bail to constable Hlanganani Nxumalo, 28, saying VIP protection unit members had a history of "terrorising" motorists and were not automatically entitled to bail.
Nxumalo, of the Alexandra Road police barracks in Pietermaritzburg, allegedly shot out the tyre of a Mazda on the N3 near Camperdown last Saturday.
The driver of the car lost control, veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a bakkie. There were six people in each car. Eight of them were injured.
The court had earlier heard how Nxumalo was in a hurry to pick up KwaZulu-Natal social development MEC Meshack Radebe.
Nxumalo has been charged with eight counts of attempted murder and one count of malicious damage to property. The matter was postponed to December 11.
Do they really need those flashing lights?
The Democratic Alliance has since written to the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD), calling for an investigation into the VIP Protection Unit of the SAPS.
Dianne Kohler-Barnard, DA spokesperson for safety and security, said the state spent R312-million a year to keep VIP protection service officers in the field - a figure she received in a parliamentary question she submitted.
She labelled the Zuma motorcade incident as "pure and utter banana-republic power abuse".
"It is criminal behaviour. It is the clearest manifestation of the 'Malemasation' culture that now has a stranglehold on the once-proud ANC. It is an example set by ANC President, Jacob Zuma, a man well known for enjoying ostentatious displays of power," Kohler-Barnard said.
National police spokesperson Vish Naidoo said that in terms of the Traffic Management Act members of the VIP unit may exceed the speed limit and use their blue and white lights when there justifiable circumstances.
"They may not intimidate or threaten other road users while executing work. They may also never brandish their firearms - this is completely unacceptable."
Posted by ZeroTolerance at 11:42 PM
http://southafrica-pig.blogspot.com/2008/11/zuma-zips-through-limpopo-at-180kmh.html
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Heavy metal thunder as JZ storms through
On the day that a KwaZulu-Natal magistrate was lambasting the police's VIP protection unit for "terrorising road users and having no regard for the law" it was reported that ANC President Jacob Zuma's 33-vehicle motorcade ripped through Limpopo, often travelling three times faster than the speed limit.
With blue and white lights flashing, the motorcade zipped over zebra crossings in built-up areas at 180km/h where the speed limit is clearly marked at 60km/h.
At one point, the convoy stretched over more than 1km. Traffic officers drove ahead, forcing traffic in both directions off the road while their colleagues blocked off every crossing on the route to allow the convoy unimpeded progress.
Then came the so-called "blue-light bullies" of the VIP protection unit, who zig-zagged in front of and behind the three-vehicle hub carrying the ANC leader and his company, which included ANC Treasurer-General Mathews Phosa.
Rifle barrels protruded menacingly from one of these vehicles as motorists scrambled to get out of the way.
On the same day, magistrate Thys Taljaard denied bail to constable Hlanganani Nxumalo, 28, saying VIP protection unit members had a history of "terrorising" motorists and were not automatically entitled to bail.
Nxumalo, of the Alexandra Road police barracks in Pietermaritzburg, allegedly shot out the tyre of a Mazda on the N3 near Camperdown last Saturday.
The driver of the car lost control, veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a bakkie. There were six people in each car. Eight of them were injured.
The court had earlier heard how Nxumalo was in a hurry to pick up KwaZulu-Natal social development MEC Meshack Radebe.
Nxumalo has been charged with eight counts of attempted murder and one count of malicious damage to property. The matter was postponed to December 11.
Do they really need those flashing lights?
The Democratic Alliance has since written to the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD), calling for an investigation into the VIP Protection Unit of the SAPS.
Dianne Kohler-Barnard, DA spokesperson for safety and security, said the state spent R312-million a year to keep VIP protection service officers in the field - a figure she received in a parliamentary question she submitted.
She labelled the Zuma motorcade incident as "pure and utter banana-republic power abuse".
"It is criminal behaviour. It is the clearest manifestation of the 'Malemasation' culture that now has a stranglehold on the once-proud ANC. It is an example set by ANC President, Jacob Zuma, a man well known for enjoying ostentatious displays of power," Kohler-Barnard said.
National police spokesperson Vish Naidoo said that in terms of the Traffic Management Act members of the VIP unit may exceed the speed limit and use their blue and white lights when there justifiable circumstances.
"They may not intimidate or threaten other road users while executing work. They may also never brandish their firearms - this is completely unacceptable."
Posted by ZeroTolerance at 11:42 PM
http://southafrica-pig.blogspot.com/2008/11/zuma-zips-through-limpopo-at-180kmh.html
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Cops threaten mass action
Monday, May 18, 2009
Police and prison officials were locked in discussions on Monday over possible strike action if salary negotiations failed in KwaZulu-Natal, Popcru said.
Kwenza Nxele, spokesperson for the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, said negotiations were continuing, but with little progress.
He warned if no agreement was reached by Friday, the union would embark on mass action.
"The action will culminate in a national day of action..." Nxele said in a statement.
"The leadership has started from today (Monday) to visit major prisons in KwaZulu-Natal where there will be a mass meeting relating to the programme of action," he said.
Posted by ZeroTolerance at 2:07 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: BLACK VIOLENCE, SA POLICE, SA PRISONS
http://southafrica-pig.blogspot.com/search/label/SA%20POLICE
Monday, May 18, 2009
Police and prison officials were locked in discussions on Monday over possible strike action if salary negotiations failed in KwaZulu-Natal, Popcru said.
Kwenza Nxele, spokesperson for the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, said negotiations were continuing, but with little progress.
He warned if no agreement was reached by Friday, the union would embark on mass action.
"The action will culminate in a national day of action..." Nxele said in a statement.
"The leadership has started from today (Monday) to visit major prisons in KwaZulu-Natal where there will be a mass meeting relating to the programme of action," he said.
Posted by ZeroTolerance at 2:07 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: BLACK VIOLENCE, SA POLICE, SA PRISONS
http://southafrica-pig.blogspot.com/search/label/SA%20POLICE
9000 get Madiba's birthday remission
Saturday, 18 July, 1998
PRETORIA -- Correctional Services Minister Sipo Mzimela yesterday announced a special six-month remission for all sentenced prisoners to mark President Nelson Mandela's birthday.
This would result in the release of about 9000 prisoners from next week.
The NP expressed amazement at the decision.
The remission of sentence was in effect giving a birthday present to sentenced criminals, NP spokesperson on correctional services, Gert Oosthuizen, said.
"The NP would have preferred that murderers, rapists, armed robbers and child molesters be excluded from this remission."
The DP said it was "shocked and saddened" to hear of the six-month remission.
"This 'present' on the occasion of Mr Mandela's birthday ... makes a mockery of our criminal justice system and is a slap in the face to the victims of crime," DP spokesperson on prisons, James Selfe, said.
The DP had repeated often that the problem of crime in South Africa would not be solved until criminals had a reasonable expectation that they would be caught, tried and convicted, and that they would serve the sentences handed down by the courts, he said.
The UDM also criticised the announcement.
"Granting remission to mark the celebration of a birthday, even that of somebody with the stature of President Mandela, in a country where crime is one of the single greatest challenges, becomes ridiculous," it said.
Such an action reduced the morale of police and state prosecutors, and was insensitive to the victims of crime.
"Without society putting into place mechanisms to ensure the success of the departmental programmes, the prisoners may be susceptible to recidivism," the statement said. -- Sapa
http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/07/18/southafrica/ABIRTHDA.HTM
Read the full article in the Dispatch newspaper
Saturday, 18 July, 1998
PRETORIA -- Correctional Services Minister Sipo Mzimela yesterday announced a special six-month remission for all sentenced prisoners to mark President Nelson Mandela's birthday.
This would result in the release of about 9000 prisoners from next week.
The NP expressed amazement at the decision.
The remission of sentence was in effect giving a birthday present to sentenced criminals, NP spokesperson on correctional services, Gert Oosthuizen, said.
"The NP would have preferred that murderers, rapists, armed robbers and child molesters be excluded from this remission."
The DP said it was "shocked and saddened" to hear of the six-month remission.
"This 'present' on the occasion of Mr Mandela's birthday ... makes a mockery of our criminal justice system and is a slap in the face to the victims of crime," DP spokesperson on prisons, James Selfe, said.
The DP had repeated often that the problem of crime in South Africa would not be solved until criminals had a reasonable expectation that they would be caught, tried and convicted, and that they would serve the sentences handed down by the courts, he said.
The UDM also criticised the announcement.
"Granting remission to mark the celebration of a birthday, even that of somebody with the stature of President Mandela, in a country where crime is one of the single greatest challenges, becomes ridiculous," it said.
Such an action reduced the morale of police and state prosecutors, and was insensitive to the victims of crime.
"Without society putting into place mechanisms to ensure the success of the departmental programmes, the prisoners may be susceptible to recidivism," the statement said. -- Sapa
http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/07/18/southafrica/ABIRTHDA.HTM
Read the full article in the Dispatch newspaper
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Mom fighting to uncover son's fatal collision with VIP unit
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Kyle Harris was killed when his car was hit by a police car in a convoy escorting a SA Reserve Bank (SARB) vehicle through an intersection along Hendrik Potgieter drive on Thursday 12 June 2008. Eyewitnesses said the convoy had run a red traffic light.
See Carte Blanche story
SA Blue Light cowboy convoys
Somebody has to pay' for son's fatal collision with VIP unit
Michelle Harris remembers clearly arriving at the accident scene - one car on its roof and the other smashed, unrecognisable, glass strewn across the usually busy intersection.
But the scene that plays out in her head every day is the one where she sees a man lying in the road.
His motionless body is covered with foil, his takkies poking out from underneath a blanket.
On closer inspection she sees it's her worst nightmare come true. It is her handsome and bright young son Kyle (20).
He is dead.
All Harris and her family want is closure from that fateful morning last June, but they have received everything but.
The court case involving Constable Johannes Ramalope from the police's VIP Unit - on trial for culpable homicide in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court - has dragged on for nearly 18 months.
But Michelle isn't giving up. The 42-year-old Florida mother has quit two jobs, determined to investigate the case herself.
"I couldn't trust the police to do their jobs. I needed to know what happened that day and I wasn't getting any answers from the police.
"It was difficult from that first day because they were investigating one of their own."
On the morning of June 12, Kyle drove his sister Maxcene to college. He would usually be back home by 9am. When he didn't arrive at 9.10am, Michelle started to worry.
"He was going to be late for work, but that's not why I started to get anxious. I knew something was wrong."
When her brother-in-law arrived to fetch Kyle for work, the pair went looking for the young man. They drove and eventually stopped while approaching the Hendrik Potgieter and Jim Fouché intersection in Roodepoort.
"There was a traffic jam, we were stuck. But then I heard the sirens and I started to get butterflies in my stomach.
"I told my brother-in-law that I was going to where the sirens were. So I got out and started running. As I came closer, I saw ambulances and, immediately after, I saw Kyle's car."
After she had identified her son's body, police told her that a car in a VIP convoy had collided head-on with her son's. They said the convoy had been transporting Chinese diplomats to Pretoria.
The occupants of the other car, which lay on its roof, had been taken to hospital.
"Our lives changed that day. And nothing has changed since. I have made it my life's mission to see that the person responsible for my son's death is brought to book. Somebody has to pay, I don't care who."
The court case was a comedy of errors, she says. It was postponed several times because investigators had failed to complete their investigations timeously. And at one point the docket "mysteriously" went missing.
But Michelle refuses to accept officials' "incompetence".
So she resigned from her job as a private banker at Nedbank, then as a sales manager at another company, so that she could focus on the investigation into her son's death.
Michelle says she visited the scene a week after the accident, spoke to the driver of the tow truck, and gave details of witnesses to the police.
This was after she went on radio and pleaded for witnesses to come forward, which they did.
Harris also twice visited Assistant Commissioner Oswald Reddy, area commander of the greater Roodepoort area, to beg for help.
The case was in court this week.
Ramalope's colleague, Inspector Bernard Clifton, testified that the driver had been doing more than 100km/h at the time of the collision.
Clifton testified that he was driving with Ramalope in a Ford Territory as part of a police convoy that, among others, had been escorting a Reserve Bank truck from Bloemfontein to Pretoria.
Earlier, Captain Hendrik Willem Stölm, the commander of the convoy, testified that the vehicles in the convoy were driving along Hendrik Potgieter Avenue to get to the N14 highway before slow traffic on the N1 highway could pose a security risk.
Clifton, meanwhile, claimed that Harris had moved from behind two rows of stationary vehicles in Jim Fouché Drive, across the intersection, and passed a marked VIP police car, which was parked in the middle of the road to block off traffic, before hitting the Ford Territory that was moving down Hendrik Potgieter, on the right front side.
But State prosecutor Mardie Human disagreed.
She said that due to the traffic islands regulating the flow of traffic, it would have been technically impossible for Harris to move past so many vehicles. Later Clifton admitted he was not familiar with the area.
The magistrate, prosecutor and defence team were supposed to do an in-loco inspection, but a hailstorm in the Roodepoort area hampered plans to point out markers at the scene of the accident. The inspection will now take place on November 30.
Michelle, who described her son as a humble, happy and intelligent young man, is determined to have her son's reputation reinstated.
"They are making him out to be some kind of psycho on the road. It hurts us so much. I don't know what would have happened if I didn't push ahead, forcing people to do their jobs.
"Kyle was loved and the world loved Kyle. He would always go to the ends of the earth for those who needed his help."
Since Kyle's death, Michelle, her husband Clive and daughter Maxcene's lives have changed dramatically. They were an active group - always outdoors and enjoying music, movies and karaoke nights. But, mostly, the family fun has ended.
"My family need to move on with their lives, we desperately want to. But we're still stuck with the court case hanging over our heads," says Michelle.
Posted by ZeroTolerance at 3:09 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: SA ROAD DEATHS, SAPS, VIP PROTECTION UNIT
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Kyle Harris was killed when his car was hit by a police car in a convoy escorting a SA Reserve Bank (SARB) vehicle through an intersection along Hendrik Potgieter drive on Thursday 12 June 2008. Eyewitnesses said the convoy had run a red traffic light.
See Carte Blanche story
SA Blue Light cowboy convoys
Somebody has to pay' for son's fatal collision with VIP unit
Michelle Harris remembers clearly arriving at the accident scene - one car on its roof and the other smashed, unrecognisable, glass strewn across the usually busy intersection.
But the scene that plays out in her head every day is the one where she sees a man lying in the road.
His motionless body is covered with foil, his takkies poking out from underneath a blanket.
On closer inspection she sees it's her worst nightmare come true. It is her handsome and bright young son Kyle (20).
He is dead.
All Harris and her family want is closure from that fateful morning last June, but they have received everything but.
The court case involving Constable Johannes Ramalope from the police's VIP Unit - on trial for culpable homicide in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court - has dragged on for nearly 18 months.
But Michelle isn't giving up. The 42-year-old Florida mother has quit two jobs, determined to investigate the case herself.
"I couldn't trust the police to do their jobs. I needed to know what happened that day and I wasn't getting any answers from the police.
"It was difficult from that first day because they were investigating one of their own."
On the morning of June 12, Kyle drove his sister Maxcene to college. He would usually be back home by 9am. When he didn't arrive at 9.10am, Michelle started to worry.
"He was going to be late for work, but that's not why I started to get anxious. I knew something was wrong."
When her brother-in-law arrived to fetch Kyle for work, the pair went looking for the young man. They drove and eventually stopped while approaching the Hendrik Potgieter and Jim Fouché intersection in Roodepoort.
"There was a traffic jam, we were stuck. But then I heard the sirens and I started to get butterflies in my stomach.
"I told my brother-in-law that I was going to where the sirens were. So I got out and started running. As I came closer, I saw ambulances and, immediately after, I saw Kyle's car."
After she had identified her son's body, police told her that a car in a VIP convoy had collided head-on with her son's. They said the convoy had been transporting Chinese diplomats to Pretoria.
The occupants of the other car, which lay on its roof, had been taken to hospital.
"Our lives changed that day. And nothing has changed since. I have made it my life's mission to see that the person responsible for my son's death is brought to book. Somebody has to pay, I don't care who."
The court case was a comedy of errors, she says. It was postponed several times because investigators had failed to complete their investigations timeously. And at one point the docket "mysteriously" went missing.
But Michelle refuses to accept officials' "incompetence".
So she resigned from her job as a private banker at Nedbank, then as a sales manager at another company, so that she could focus on the investigation into her son's death.
Michelle says she visited the scene a week after the accident, spoke to the driver of the tow truck, and gave details of witnesses to the police.
This was after she went on radio and pleaded for witnesses to come forward, which they did.
Harris also twice visited Assistant Commissioner Oswald Reddy, area commander of the greater Roodepoort area, to beg for help.
The case was in court this week.
Ramalope's colleague, Inspector Bernard Clifton, testified that the driver had been doing more than 100km/h at the time of the collision.
Clifton testified that he was driving with Ramalope in a Ford Territory as part of a police convoy that, among others, had been escorting a Reserve Bank truck from Bloemfontein to Pretoria.
Earlier, Captain Hendrik Willem Stölm, the commander of the convoy, testified that the vehicles in the convoy were driving along Hendrik Potgieter Avenue to get to the N14 highway before slow traffic on the N1 highway could pose a security risk.
Clifton, meanwhile, claimed that Harris had moved from behind two rows of stationary vehicles in Jim Fouché Drive, across the intersection, and passed a marked VIP police car, which was parked in the middle of the road to block off traffic, before hitting the Ford Territory that was moving down Hendrik Potgieter, on the right front side.
But State prosecutor Mardie Human disagreed.
She said that due to the traffic islands regulating the flow of traffic, it would have been technically impossible for Harris to move past so many vehicles. Later Clifton admitted he was not familiar with the area.
The magistrate, prosecutor and defence team were supposed to do an in-loco inspection, but a hailstorm in the Roodepoort area hampered plans to point out markers at the scene of the accident. The inspection will now take place on November 30.
Michelle, who described her son as a humble, happy and intelligent young man, is determined to have her son's reputation reinstated.
"They are making him out to be some kind of psycho on the road. It hurts us so much. I don't know what would have happened if I didn't push ahead, forcing people to do their jobs.
"Kyle was loved and the world loved Kyle. He would always go to the ends of the earth for those who needed his help."
Since Kyle's death, Michelle, her husband Clive and daughter Maxcene's lives have changed dramatically. They were an active group - always outdoors and enjoying music, movies and karaoke nights. But, mostly, the family fun has ended.
"My family need to move on with their lives, we desperately want to. But we're still stuck with the court case hanging over our heads," says Michelle.
Posted by ZeroTolerance at 3:09 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: SA ROAD DEATHS, SAPS, VIP PROTECTION UNIT
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Taxpayers cough up another R570k 5-star Nathi bill
Johannesburg - Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has racked up another five-star hotel bill, this time worth over R570 000 in Durban, the Sunday Independent reported.
Between December 19 and April 25, Mthethwa was intermittently booked into the luxurious Hilton Hotel along with members of his VIP Protection Unit at a cost of R578 499.
His spokesperson Zweli Mnisi did not comment on the figure, saying only that Mthethwa was in KwaZulu-Natal around December on "official duties", partaking in roadshows aimed at reducing festive season crime. His stay there during April was due to the national elections.
"The province was identified as a potential hot spot. All these were official programmes aimed at engaging local stakeholders in the fight against crime, including consultation with local authorities as part of preparation for the elections," he said in a statement.
'Unaware' of high prices
According to the Sunday Independent's copy of the bill Mthethwa spent Christmas and New Year at the hotel. During an uninterrupted 17-day stay from December 19, he was not accompanied by any guards and the bill came to just over R86 000.
On the night before Valentine's Day, Mthethwa was booked into the same hotel, this time with four guards, at a cost of R38 516.
From April 19 to 25, he stayed at the hotel with two guards. The bill amounted to R89 000.
The Hilton bill was double what taxpayers coughed up for Mthethwa's 17-day stay in Cape Town's five-star Table Bay Hotel earlier this year. Mthethwa stayed at the hotel at a cost of R235 000 while his home was being renovated after flood damage.
Mnisi said the minister claimed at the time he was unaware of the high prices charged by the Cape Town hotel.
Opposition political parties reacted with anger to Mthethwa's latest "extravagance".
Luxury indulgences
The Congress of the People said Mthethwa either was campaigning for the ANC or simply went home and billed the government.
"This gives lie to his explanation that he did not know that the Table Bay Hotel was expensive and appeared to cement a view that he has a cavalier attitude towards taxpayers' money," Cope first deputy president Mbhazima Shilowa was quoted as saying.
The DA said the police department's long list of luxury indulgences did not only contradict President Jacob Zuma 's calls for austerity and prudence, but flew in the face of common sense and commitment to put the public before personal gratification.
"If one adds up the hotel extravagance to the cars bought by Mthethwa and his deputy, Fikile Mbalula, it goes up to over R3.7 million of public money being spent on person opulence," shadow minister of police Dianne Kohler Barnard said in a statement.
She asked how Mthethwa would justify his behaviour while police officers who often put their lives at risk earned next to nothing each month.
- SAPA
Posted by ZeroTolerance at 3:39 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: SAPS
Johannesburg - Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has racked up another five-star hotel bill, this time worth over R570 000 in Durban, the Sunday Independent reported.
Between December 19 and April 25, Mthethwa was intermittently booked into the luxurious Hilton Hotel along with members of his VIP Protection Unit at a cost of R578 499.
His spokesperson Zweli Mnisi did not comment on the figure, saying only that Mthethwa was in KwaZulu-Natal around December on "official duties", partaking in roadshows aimed at reducing festive season crime. His stay there during April was due to the national elections.
"The province was identified as a potential hot spot. All these were official programmes aimed at engaging local stakeholders in the fight against crime, including consultation with local authorities as part of preparation for the elections," he said in a statement.
'Unaware' of high prices
According to the Sunday Independent's copy of the bill Mthethwa spent Christmas and New Year at the hotel. During an uninterrupted 17-day stay from December 19, he was not accompanied by any guards and the bill came to just over R86 000.
On the night before Valentine's Day, Mthethwa was booked into the same hotel, this time with four guards, at a cost of R38 516.
From April 19 to 25, he stayed at the hotel with two guards. The bill amounted to R89 000.
The Hilton bill was double what taxpayers coughed up for Mthethwa's 17-day stay in Cape Town's five-star Table Bay Hotel earlier this year. Mthethwa stayed at the hotel at a cost of R235 000 while his home was being renovated after flood damage.
Mnisi said the minister claimed at the time he was unaware of the high prices charged by the Cape Town hotel.
Opposition political parties reacted with anger to Mthethwa's latest "extravagance".
Luxury indulgences
The Congress of the People said Mthethwa either was campaigning for the ANC or simply went home and billed the government.
"This gives lie to his explanation that he did not know that the Table Bay Hotel was expensive and appeared to cement a view that he has a cavalier attitude towards taxpayers' money," Cope first deputy president Mbhazima Shilowa was quoted as saying.
The DA said the police department's long list of luxury indulgences did not only contradict President Jacob Zuma 's calls for austerity and prudence, but flew in the face of common sense and commitment to put the public before personal gratification.
"If one adds up the hotel extravagance to the cars bought by Mthethwa and his deputy, Fikile Mbalula, it goes up to over R3.7 million of public money being spent on person opulence," shadow minister of police Dianne Kohler Barnard said in a statement.
She asked how Mthethwa would justify his behaviour while police officers who often put their lives at risk earned next to nothing each month.
- SAPA
Posted by ZeroTolerance at 3:39 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: SAPS
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Nevermind the criminals, mind the police
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Reuters soccer correspondent Mike Collett has an encounter with the local constabulary - an incident that will no doubt be repeated many times when the sucker hordes descend on South Africa for the big event. You gotta laugh.
***
Mind how you go, sir — a lesson with the South African police
FIFA president Sepp Blatter, World Cup organiser Danny Jordaan and just about everyone else involved in the 2010 finals have been playing down the risk of violence and crime in South Africa and in hundreds of reports over the last five years I have always been prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt.
That was until last night when I was effectively “mugged” by two uniformed police officers who demanded “pounds or dollars” before they would let me go on my way. In the end I handed over 200 rand (about 15 pounds) — and they showed their “gratitude” in the most astonishing way. I covered the Spain-New Zealand match for Reuters in Rustenburg on Sunday evening and drove the 120-miles back to my hotel in Sandton City after the game.
I left Rustenburg at midnight, made good time without incident, dropped off my travelling companion at his hotel and was nearing Sandton when I saw a flashing light about 200 metres ahead and realised a policeman was indicating by torchlight for me to stop. I did.
After the usual pleasantries of, “How are you tonight sir,” and a check of my driving licence and passport, they quickly cut to the quick, ordered me out of the car and asked me where I had been and if I had been drinking.
I told them “Rustenburg” and no I hadn’t been drinking as I was driving. Seeing my Confederations Cup accreditation tag around my neck they asked me what I thought of the game which Spain won 5-0.
I thought we might have a pleasant discussion about Fernando Torres’ 17-minute hat-trick, but they didn’t seem too bothered about that. They then asked me where I was going.
When I told them the name of my hotel, which was only about five minutes drive away, they told me I would never find it.
I told them I had a very reliable SatNav. They told me it was useless and I would get lost. Only they knew where my hotel was and after giving me directions asked me for their money. “Where are our dollars or pounds, sir ?” they asked in a more threatening manner.
I gave them their cash and they let me go.
A minute later I saw their blue light flashing in my mirror again. This time I was rather more concerned.
They pulled me over again and the younger of the two said: “You will get lost sir,” and in no uncertain terms indicated I follow them again.
Bizarrely, they took me directly to the hotel — blue lights flashing all the way.
“Good night sir,” they shouted as the car park barrier raised, “and be careful, it is very dangerous on the roads in South Africa at night.”
You can say that again.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Reuters soccer correspondent Mike Collett has an encounter with the local constabulary - an incident that will no doubt be repeated many times when the sucker hordes descend on South Africa for the big event. You gotta laugh.
***
Mind how you go, sir — a lesson with the South African police
FIFA president Sepp Blatter, World Cup organiser Danny Jordaan and just about everyone else involved in the 2010 finals have been playing down the risk of violence and crime in South Africa and in hundreds of reports over the last five years I have always been prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt.
That was until last night when I was effectively “mugged” by two uniformed police officers who demanded “pounds or dollars” before they would let me go on my way. In the end I handed over 200 rand (about 15 pounds) — and they showed their “gratitude” in the most astonishing way. I covered the Spain-New Zealand match for Reuters in Rustenburg on Sunday evening and drove the 120-miles back to my hotel in Sandton City after the game.
I left Rustenburg at midnight, made good time without incident, dropped off my travelling companion at his hotel and was nearing Sandton when I saw a flashing light about 200 metres ahead and realised a policeman was indicating by torchlight for me to stop. I did.
After the usual pleasantries of, “How are you tonight sir,” and a check of my driving licence and passport, they quickly cut to the quick, ordered me out of the car and asked me where I had been and if I had been drinking.
I told them “Rustenburg” and no I hadn’t been drinking as I was driving. Seeing my Confederations Cup accreditation tag around my neck they asked me what I thought of the game which Spain won 5-0.
I thought we might have a pleasant discussion about Fernando Torres’ 17-minute hat-trick, but they didn’t seem too bothered about that. They then asked me where I was going.
When I told them the name of my hotel, which was only about five minutes drive away, they told me I would never find it.
I told them I had a very reliable SatNav. They told me it was useless and I would get lost. Only they knew where my hotel was and after giving me directions asked me for their money. “Where are our dollars or pounds, sir ?” they asked in a more threatening manner.
I gave them their cash and they let me go.
A minute later I saw their blue light flashing in my mirror again. This time I was rather more concerned.
They pulled me over again and the younger of the two said: “You will get lost sir,” and in no uncertain terms indicated I follow them again.
Bizarrely, they took me directly to the hotel — blue lights flashing all the way.
“Good night sir,” they shouted as the car park barrier raised, “and be careful, it is very dangerous on the roads in South Africa at night.”
You can say that again.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
You can only laugh. The only issue nowadays is whether you are laughing at the blatant arrogance and corruption of the most senior officials in South Africa (no use getting upset, because ministers in Parliament will tell you that if you don’t like it, you should leave the country) or idiots still talking about “progress” since 1994.
Here you have Bheki Cele, National Police Commissioner, who was found guilty of maladministration and improper conduct by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela (probably because she was not in on the deal) in a R500m lease for police headquarters in Pretoria.
So what does Cele do? He organises a raid of the Public Protector’s office by his crime “intelligence” unit. Sounds like Zuma telling the world that the National Prosecuting Authority reports to him, during his corruption trial. And demanding respect as president.
I wonder how long this news item will be in the public domain before it is quietly squashed.
http://iluvsa.blogspot.com/
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Bogusssssssssssssssssssssss Police
THE Star Newspaper 16 March 2011
Notice how the government goes for the “bogus” line before an investigation has even taken place. These so called bogus cops have the vehicles, flashing blue lights, the uniforms, firearms, and have colleagues assisting in the road block.
THE Star Newspaper 16 March 2011
Notice how the government goes for the “bogus” line before an investigation has even taken place. These so called bogus cops have the vehicles, flashing blue lights, the uniforms, firearms, and have colleagues assisting in the road block.
THE Star Newspaper 16 March 2011
Notice how the government goes for the “bogus” line before an investigation has even taken place. These so called bogus cops have the vehicles, flashing blue lights, the uniforms, firearms, and have colleagues assisting in the road block.
THE Star Newspaper 16 March 2011
Notice how the government goes for the “bogus” line before an investigation has even taken place. These so called bogus cops have the vehicles, flashing blue lights, the uniforms, firearms, and have colleagues assisting in the road block.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Why are SA cops “shocked” at murder and hijacking of British tourist?
Over 700 people have been murdered in Gugulethu since 2005
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Mzoli's - Gugulethu township in Cape Town an outdoor barbecue restaurant and bar which bills itself as an ‘authentic taste of township life’. Jamie Oliver visited it last year and in a seven-page spread in his magazine, described the food as ‘heaven’ and ‘totally sexy’. He added: ‘In this part of the world, fresh is where it’s at. Just kill it. Gut it. Skin it. Eat it.’ ‘When I go back to Cape Town, I am absolutely going to Mzoli’s.’
The SA Institute of Race Relations questioned why the South African police were “shocked” at the murder and hijacking of a British tourist.
As international and local media agencies have reported a British national and his wife were attacked in the township of Gugulethu on the urban periphery of Cape Town while honeymooning in the city. The couple were kidnapped by armed robbers and the wife was later found murdered. In response to media coverage the South African Police Force has released a statement expressing "shock" at the murder.
The police are out of touch with reality for expressing shock at the murder of a tourist in Gugulethu in Cape Town, the SA Institute of Race Relations said on Tuesday.
"Data in the possession of the South African Institute of Race Relations shows that over 700 people have been murdered in Gugulethu since 2005. In the year to March 2010 some 110 murders occurred within the Gugulethu police precinct," the SAIRR said.
"This amounts to one murder every two-and-a-half days for five consecutive years. How under such circumstances can the police claim to be ‘shocked’ or surprised at what happened to the British couple?"
The SAIRR said if the police were truly shocked, then it suggested that "the police’s senior management is out of touch with the reality of life on the ground for people in areas such as Gugulethu who have been left to run the gauntlet of violent crime on a horrific scale".
The institute said it was "revealing" that it took the murder of a foreign national for the police's senior management to take stock of the state of affairs in Gugulethu.
'This murder of a newlywed woman has become the symbol of our country'
Many South Africans rightly deserve to feel deeply let down by the performance of their government and insulted when it feigns shock and surprise at violence that has become commonplace in South Africa.
We live in a country where human life means absolutely nothing to violent thugs.
But this one murder - of a beautiful young woman who had just married - has become the symbol of our country to the outside world.
This is evidenced by the British media's coverage of the murder.
The Daily Mail report on the tragic death of the British bride ended by concluding: "South Africa has one of the worst crime rates in the world."
Similar observations have appeared in other publications with The Telegraph reporting that 46 murders are committed each day in South Africa, "a statistic that led to a substantial rise in security during the World Cup".
South Africa is indeed a violent country and far too many South Africans are intimately acquainted with this knowledge.
And this murder resurrects the doubts and prejudice that surfaced before the World Cup earlier this year.
It also reinforces the idea that the safety foreign visitors enjoyed during the tournament in June was a mirage. This murder then shows how life has returned to normal after the soccer fans departed.
Anni Dewani's body will be returned to her home and her widower will leave too. Life, as they say, will go on. But it is a life that has become frighteningly abnormal because of our acceptance of barbaric acts of cruelty and violence as a normal feature of South Africa.
*Gugulethu made headlines in 1993 when an American exchange student, Amy Biehl, was stabbed and stoned to death. On August 25, 1993, she was driving black friends home to Guguletu township when the car was attacked by a group of youths chanting "one settler, one bullet" -- urging death to all white citizens. The youths stoned the car and struck Ms. Biehl on the head. She fled, bleeding, but the youths cornered her and stabbed and stoned her to death. She was 26 years old.
Posted by ZeroTolerance at 1:27 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: ARMED ROBBERY, CARJACK, CRIME, HIJACKERS, MURDER, SA CRIME STATS, THEFT, VIOLENT CRIME
http://southafrica-pig.blogspot.com/search/label/SA%20CRIME%20STATS
Over 700 people have been murdered in Gugulethu since 2005
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Mzoli's - Gugulethu township in Cape Town an outdoor barbecue restaurant and bar which bills itself as an ‘authentic taste of township life’. Jamie Oliver visited it last year and in a seven-page spread in his magazine, described the food as ‘heaven’ and ‘totally sexy’. He added: ‘In this part of the world, fresh is where it’s at. Just kill it. Gut it. Skin it. Eat it.’ ‘When I go back to Cape Town, I am absolutely going to Mzoli’s.’
The SA Institute of Race Relations questioned why the South African police were “shocked” at the murder and hijacking of a British tourist.
As international and local media agencies have reported a British national and his wife were attacked in the township of Gugulethu on the urban periphery of Cape Town while honeymooning in the city. The couple were kidnapped by armed robbers and the wife was later found murdered. In response to media coverage the South African Police Force has released a statement expressing "shock" at the murder.
The police are out of touch with reality for expressing shock at the murder of a tourist in Gugulethu in Cape Town, the SA Institute of Race Relations said on Tuesday.
"Data in the possession of the South African Institute of Race Relations shows that over 700 people have been murdered in Gugulethu since 2005. In the year to March 2010 some 110 murders occurred within the Gugulethu police precinct," the SAIRR said.
"This amounts to one murder every two-and-a-half days for five consecutive years. How under such circumstances can the police claim to be ‘shocked’ or surprised at what happened to the British couple?"
The SAIRR said if the police were truly shocked, then it suggested that "the police’s senior management is out of touch with the reality of life on the ground for people in areas such as Gugulethu who have been left to run the gauntlet of violent crime on a horrific scale".
The institute said it was "revealing" that it took the murder of a foreign national for the police's senior management to take stock of the state of affairs in Gugulethu.
'This murder of a newlywed woman has become the symbol of our country'
Many South Africans rightly deserve to feel deeply let down by the performance of their government and insulted when it feigns shock and surprise at violence that has become commonplace in South Africa.
We live in a country where human life means absolutely nothing to violent thugs.
But this one murder - of a beautiful young woman who had just married - has become the symbol of our country to the outside world.
This is evidenced by the British media's coverage of the murder.
The Daily Mail report on the tragic death of the British bride ended by concluding: "South Africa has one of the worst crime rates in the world."
Similar observations have appeared in other publications with The Telegraph reporting that 46 murders are committed each day in South Africa, "a statistic that led to a substantial rise in security during the World Cup".
South Africa is indeed a violent country and far too many South Africans are intimately acquainted with this knowledge.
And this murder resurrects the doubts and prejudice that surfaced before the World Cup earlier this year.
It also reinforces the idea that the safety foreign visitors enjoyed during the tournament in June was a mirage. This murder then shows how life has returned to normal after the soccer fans departed.
Anni Dewani's body will be returned to her home and her widower will leave too. Life, as they say, will go on. But it is a life that has become frighteningly abnormal because of our acceptance of barbaric acts of cruelty and violence as a normal feature of South Africa.
*Gugulethu made headlines in 1993 when an American exchange student, Amy Biehl, was stabbed and stoned to death. On August 25, 1993, she was driving black friends home to Guguletu township when the car was attacked by a group of youths chanting "one settler, one bullet" -- urging death to all white citizens. The youths stoned the car and struck Ms. Biehl on the head. She fled, bleeding, but the youths cornered her and stabbed and stoned her to death. She was 26 years old.
Posted by ZeroTolerance at 1:27 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: ARMED ROBBERY, CARJACK, CRIME, HIJACKERS, MURDER, SA CRIME STATS, THEFT, VIOLENT CRIME
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Crimes of the South African Police Services
disappointment with the actions of the National Prosecuting Authority and the Police.
Freedom Front Plus welcomes the withdrawal of charges against journalist Mzilikazi Wa Afrika
Below is a statement published by Politics Web:
"The inevitable deduction which can be made from the decision of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to withdraw the charges against the journalist, Mzilikazi Wa Afrika, is that the actions of the NPA and Police were not motivated by pure jurisprudence principles and justice. The withdrawal of the criminal charges against Mzilikazi Wa Afrika is welcomed by the Freedom Front Plus. The party however expresses its disappointment with the actions of the National Prosecuting Authority and the Police. The fact that the charges against Wa Afrika have now been withdrawn proves that the NPA and the Police acted over hastily," Dr. Pieter Mulder, leader of the Freedom Front Plus and deputy minister of Agriculture said.
"The timing of the actions of the NPA leads one to draw the conclusion that the state had abused its instruments of power to intimidate a journalist who writes uncomfortable articles about the ANC. On which grounds is a journalist arrested and detained if there is so little of a case against him that the case is thrown out of court?" Mulder asked. The NPA should at the time already have accepted that new charges against Wa Afrika should not be brought until the Police and the NPA had sufficiently investigated the case.
"This incident of the abuse of power and the restricting of media freedom in South Africa has already harmed the good international image of South Africa following the World Cup Soccer Tournament. Because it all takes place within a debate about the possible introduction of a media tribunal, the damage is so much worse," according to Dr. Mulder.
Freedom Front Plus welcomes the withdrawal of charges against journalist Mzilikazi Wa Afrika
Below is a statement published by Politics Web:
"The inevitable deduction which can be made from the decision of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to withdraw the charges against the journalist, Mzilikazi Wa Afrika, is that the actions of the NPA and Police were not motivated by pure jurisprudence principles and justice. The withdrawal of the criminal charges against Mzilikazi Wa Afrika is welcomed by the Freedom Front Plus. The party however expresses its disappointment with the actions of the National Prosecuting Authority and the Police. The fact that the charges against Wa Afrika have now been withdrawn proves that the NPA and the Police acted over hastily," Dr. Pieter Mulder, leader of the Freedom Front Plus and deputy minister of Agriculture said.
"The timing of the actions of the NPA leads one to draw the conclusion that the state had abused its instruments of power to intimidate a journalist who writes uncomfortable articles about the ANC. On which grounds is a journalist arrested and detained if there is so little of a case against him that the case is thrown out of court?" Mulder asked. The NPA should at the time already have accepted that new charges against Wa Afrika should not be brought until the Police and the NPA had sufficiently investigated the case.
"This incident of the abuse of power and the restricting of media freedom in South Africa has already harmed the good international image of South Africa following the World Cup Soccer Tournament. Because it all takes place within a debate about the possible introduction of a media tribunal, the damage is so much worse," according to Dr. Mulder.
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QUOTE
“Crime statistics falsified - OUDTSHOORN. George Herald, 19 January 2006 -- Police officers in the Southern Cape were warned not to report each other's corruption for lying about crime statistics. "George Herald" reports that the Provincial commissioner, commt.Mzwandile Petros refused to act against the fraudulent cops - instead ordering police to 'stop reporting each other for corruption". He showed up at the police station to probe formal complaint that specific officers were falsifying and jazzing up official crime statistics. http://www.epherald.co.za/ Petros had apparently decided not to investigate the fraudsters and instead had warned the policemen who had lodged the complaint, to stop reporting against each other - and not to talk to the news media. Superintendent De Beer confirmed that the commissioner had indeed visited that specific police station "as he does from time to time..." http://www.epherald.co.za/
(From Adriana Stuijt’s website www.censorbugbear – reports.blogspot.com)
QUOTE
“Crime statistics falsified - OUDTSHOORN. George Herald, 19 January 2006 -- Police officers in the Southern Cape were warned not to report each other's corruption for lying about crime statistics. "George Herald" reports that the Provincial commissioner, commt.Mzwandile Petros refused to act against the fraudulent cops - instead ordering police to 'stop reporting each other for corruption". He showed up at the police station to probe formal complaint that specific officers were falsifying and jazzing up official crime statistics. http://www.epherald.co.za/ Petros had apparently decided not to investigate the fraudsters and instead had warned the policemen who had lodged the complaint, to stop reporting against each other - and not to talk to the news media. Superintendent De Beer confirmed that the commissioner had indeed visited that specific police station "as he does from time to time..." http://www.epherald.co.za/
(From Adriana Stuijt’s website www.censorbugbear – reports.blogspot.com)
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