The IFP calls for all police officers to declare their wealth to government, this after Pongola police officers arrested another rogue colleague found to have been complicit in an armed robbery on the N2 near Pongola on Tuesday last week, when a truck driver was confronted by three men in an unmarked light delivery vehicle.
“Many civil servants and other public officers have accumulated instant wealth that does not tally with their incomes. This situation in SAPS necessitates that top officials like National Police Commissioner and Provincial Commissioners must also disclose their financial interests in terms of shares, land and property to avoid conflict of interests. For that reason, a legal framework to mandate the police should be formulated and implemented,” said IFP National Chairperson, Mr Blessed Gwala.
“This will enhance accountability and transparency in the SAPS and also enhance the integrity of the entire public sector. However, the requirement needs to be supported by legal and institutional means and substantial political will.
Police officers must declare their assets when they come into service, while in service and when leaving the service or when being promoted,” continued Mr Gwala.
“We are also very perplexed by the IPID which has turned out to be a watchdog without teeth. It seems as if it lacks adequate resources or skills to ensure that it is able to gather sufficient evidence to ensure successful prosecutions of police officers accused of crimes. We argue that there is strong evidence that many police officers involved in criminality are not being held accountable and therefore that the numbers of police who are involved and have been implicated in crime is higher than is generally known,” concluded Gwala.
The IFP believes that there is an urgent need for “strong and effective” civilian oversight of the police as it is convinced that police crime is higher than police admit.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala, IFP National Chairperson, 078 290 5842
Media Enquiries:
Mr Phendulani Biyase, IFP KZN Legislature Media Officer, 073 024 5675
