No police officer is above the law, as Joburg top cop is nabbed for theft

Share the Article:

The Gauteng provincial legislature’s portfolio committee on community safety has warned that no police officer is above the law, regardless of rank or position. 

This comes after Norwood SAPS station commander, Colonel Logan Govender, was arrested by the Gauteng Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit on Tuesday for theft, fraud, and defeating the ends of justice. 

According to a statement by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster, the case against Govender stems from an incident that happened in August 2021 which involved the alleged theft of goods worth R165,000.

“It is alleged that on August 21, 2021 at about 10:00 – the complainant was approached by the police accompanied by a civilian personnel who introduced himself as an employee of Adams and Adams company and also as an expert in terms of illicit cigarettes. 

“The SAPS Commander introduced himself as Colonel Govender from Johannesburg Central SAPS. Colonel Govender then alleged that he received the tip-off of illicit cigarettes from Crime Intelligence.

“They then started to search the shop and confiscated the stock of Al Fakher molasses flavours to the value of R165,000.

“The owner of the shop was never arrested, and no criminal case was opened. The complainant (shop owner) decided to open a case docket.

“The docket was transferred to Gauteng Provincial Anti-Corruption, and the investigation was conducted and finalized,” the statement read.

Govender was arrested on Tuesday and appeared at the Johannesburg magistrates court on Wednesday, March 19, where he was granted R3,000 bail.

His case was remanded to May 29.

Undermining public trust in police officers

The committee said it welcomes Govender’s arrest and is deeply disappointed by the alleged conduct which undermines public trust in law enforcement and tarnishes the integrity of members of the South African Police Service.

“Such actions, particularly by senior officials, are embarrassing, unacceptable and erode the confidence of communities in the criminal justice system. The arrest sends a strong message that no individual, regardless of their rank or position, is above the law.

ALSO READ | Lomas granted R2 million bail

“The committee commends the Gauteng Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for this arrest and reaffirms its commitment to supporting efforts to root out corruption and criminality within law enforcement agencies. 

“We further encourage members of the public to report any similar incidents of misconduct or corruption to the Committee. Such reports will be directed to the relevant authorities for appropriate action to ensure accountability and justice,” committee chairperson Bandile Masuku remarked.