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The Joburg public safety MMC, Mgcini Tshwaku is livid following the arrest of five members of the JMPD Tactical Response Unit (TRU) and two officers from the Recovery Unit by Bekkersdal SAPS.
This comes after the TRU officers responded to a tip-off and proceeded to recover a suspected stolen vehicle. While processing the scene, SAPS members from Bekkersdal arrived and arrested the JMPD officers.
The charges brought forward appear to lack substantive basis, so says Tshwaku.
According to the MMC, officers’ service firearms, vehicles, and mobile devices were confiscated, and they were detained over the weekend.
“JMPD internal affairs officials were not given information when attempting to inquire about the arrests. It is further alleged that the vehicle involved is linked to an individual associated with illegal mining operations and it has since vanished.
“This has raised concerns regarding the coordination and communication between SAPS and JMPD during joint operational activities,” he explained.
Tshwaku further called upon Gauteng provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni to urgently intervene and ensure a transparent and thorough investigation into this matter.
He added; “The working relationship between law enforcement agencies must be based on mutual respect, accountability, and the shared objective of upholding law and order across the City of Johannesburg.”
JMPD Officers’ arrest within bounds of the law
Responding to the facade, Gauteng police spokesperson, Brigadier Brenda Muridili, said Bekkersdal police acted within the bounds of the law by arresting four TRU members and two illegal immigrants on Friday.
Adding that the six suspects have been taken to Westonaria magistrate’s court facing charges which include attempted theft, malicious damage to property, trespassing, defeating the ends of justice, and contravening the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002.
“The provincial commissioner upon engaging with the district commissioner, is satisfied that the members have acted within the bounds of the law.
“It is reported that the members from Bekkersdal were called to the scene by the community following a community mobilisation against the said raid by TRU.
“The swift response by members emanates from a threat which is emerging in the West Rand policing area where the district has experienced a recent spike in cases of house robberies and vehicle hijackings,” she expressed.
Brig Muridili stated that this is allegedly committed by suspects wearing traffic police and metro police uniforms, driving in vehicles with blue lights and highlighted that the district is therefore on high alert and they have increased police visibility.
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She continued; “During station and district izimbizo, the community was addressed on the threat and urged to be vigilant.
“The collaboration with community based organisations such as community police forums and patrollers as well as private security companies through Business Against Crime South Africa’ Eyes and Ears.
“This initiative has resulted in the arrest of 42 suspects for hijacking and house robberies from July to September as well as the recovering 40 stolen/hijacked vehicles in the same period.”
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