Swellendam Police Station commander suspended over alleged taxi industry ties
A Swellendam Police commander has been suspended amid taxi industry controversy.
Image: File
Police have confirmed that the station commander at Swellendam Police Station has been suspended in what is alleged to be linked to the taxi industry - in which he is an apparent taxi boss.
The suspension took place internally this month, with SAPS management making sure that operational duties did not suffer.
The news comes just as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police in the National Assembly, Ian Cameron, confirmed he had written to the National Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, to provide urgent action regarding the situation.
Cameron said it was unlawful for members of the police to be part of the taxi business and that it hindered their work in fighting crime.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Andre Traut, said the police could not divulge much information about the suspension as it formed part of the internal process.
“Please be advised that an officer attached to Swellendam SAPS has been placed on suspension pending the outcome of an internal process,” he said.
“In the interest of due process, SAPS will not be divulging further details pertaining to the matter at this stage. “The suspension took effect in May, and the matter is currently receiving the necessary attention from SAPS management.
“In the interim, the station remains operational under acting management arrangements to ensure the continued delivery of policing services to the community.
"Processes are also underway to strengthen management capacity at the station where necessary. “SAPS remains committed to maintaining stability, accountability, and effective service delivery at all police stations within the Western Cape.”
Cameron called for arrests to be made: “The law is clear; SAPS members may not own or operate taxis. There are no exceptions,” he said.“This is not a small administrative issue. SAPS is expected to police taxi violence, extortion, organised crime, and related disputes.
"A police officer cannot have a financial stake in the very industry they are meant to enforce the law against. “I have written to the National Commissioner requesting urgent action.
“Where these allegations are proven, members must not only be disciplined and dismissed; criminal cases must be opened. They must be arrested, charged, and, where the evidence supports it, convicted.
In March, Cameron lifted the lid on SAPS members being involved in the taxi industry.
He said that information received was that officers at various stations in the province were allegedly involved in the taxi industry.
He detailed that cases included a sergeant stationed in Calitzdorp who is alleged to own seven taxis and six trailers. He said another sergeant attached to the Taxi Violence Unit was allegedly linked to five taxis and a constable stationed at Samora Machel detectives who is believed to be connected to eight taxis.