DA calls for dismissal of convicted Lentegeur police officer

The DA is demanding the dismissal of a convicted Lentegeur police station officer, arguing he should not be paid by taxpayers or wear a police badge. 

Western Cape SAPS has in the meantime asked for the internal disciplinary process to be finalised before they confirm its outcome.

DA MP and member on Security and Justice, Nicholas Gotsell, said the officer, whose name is known to the Cape Argus, was convicted of multiple charges relating to fraud  and was also found guilty during two internal processes.

Gotsell said the party has asked provincial police commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, why the officer was not dismissed yet. 

“A Warrant Officer at Lentegeur SAPS remains on duty after being convicted of multiple counts of fraud, and being found guilty in two internal disciplinary processes, because provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile is dragging his feet in dismissing this crooked cop,” said Gotsell.

“The DA calls on Commissioner Patekile to stop dragging his feet and to immediately confirm the dismissal of this Warrant Officer. Not another day must pass where a convicted crooked cop draws a cent of public money or wears the badge of a police officer.

“The Warrant Officer was convicted on multiple counts of fraud; implicated in the alleged sale of police dockets and found guilty in at least two internal disciplinary processes.”

Gotsell said it was concerning that the officer was not being treated like other convicted criminals.

“Despite admitting guilt during one of the hearings, he continued to draw a salary and wear the blue uniform, which has made a mockery of SAPS’s Code of Conduct and its supposed commitment to integrity,” he added.

“It is alleged that this Warrant Officer was originally dismissed in his first disciplinary hearing, but that the sanction was overturned by Commissioner Patekile himself and then replaced with a mere two-month suspension.

“It took a full year to communicate the outcome of that hearing to the Warrant Officer himself; and it appears on the face of it that SAPS leadership was scrambling to cover for the situation.

“When he finally served his suspension, from March to May this year, the Warrant Officer was then caught driving under the influence of alcohol.

“His disregard for the law is a direct consequence of the SAPS leadership not sending the right message in the first place, that breaking the law would not be tolerated.”

Police spokesperson, Andre Traut, asked for the internal hearing procedure to be respected.

“Kindly be advised that the internal disciplinary process you are referring to is nearing finalisation. Out of respect for due process, this office is not in a position to speculate on the outcome. It is for this reason that your questions remain unanswered.

“I trust this clarifies our position regarding disciplinary processes within the SAPS.”

Queries to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate went unanswered.

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Cape Argus