Crimes of the South African Police Service

Bad, Bad, Knysna Police!

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Mike Hampton

There is something awfully wrong with the police in Knysna. I’ve told you about their bad conduct towards me before and the lies their highest ranking cops have told (Colonel Atwell Metu, Colonel Siddique Khan, Warrant Officer Christopher Spies – what the hell are you doing to our town? You promised cooperation and then gave none! You are dishonourable men!). What dark place have we reached where cops are are untrustworthy yet we have to entrust them with our lives?

Why has Major-General Thembisile Patekile, the Deputy Provincial Commissioner not come here to enforce law and order? Why does the SAPS leadership not care what happens to Knysna?

Yes, i will still call the police when there is a crime. Yes, i will still be polite when i’m in the charge office. There are certainly moments we have to be grateful to them for but being a policeman is a full-time job, not a part-time one.

Anyone who tries to tell me that not all policemen are the same here is full of bullshit because the only way we can know if one is truly a good cop is if he starts reporting or arresting bad cops. Since many of us know who some of the bad cops are it’s reasonable to assume that other cops know too… and know more. It isn’t our job to risk ourselves by exposing them… but it is the duty of the Knysna SAPS. Firemen do not get to run away from fires, cops do not get to turn a blind eye to crime.

The general arrogance bugs me the most, like they’re in charge of our town instead of working for us. They show zero gratitude for their pay cheque. And don’t talk to me about bad pay – they earn more than most in our town.

I’D MUCH RATHER LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE THE POLICE ARE OUR FRIENDS AND I CAN WORK WITH THEM. I’D MUCH RATHER BE PRAISING THEM! Unfortunately, that is not our current reality.

Bad health may force me to leave this town one day but the cops would be a close second reason.

Have you noticed that i’ve actually skipped cop talk for months now? Sad fact is that i decided that it’s a losing battle and instead focused on the politicians (which i still intend doing). I make an exception now because cops threatened a Knysna-Plett Herald journalist inside their building in front of everyone! They have posted a tamer version of what happened at www.knysnaplettherald.com/news/News/General/130254/Journalist-harassed-by-police.