MAYCO member for safety and security, JP Smith, has slammed police for their handling of two cases in which suspects were allegedly released without appearing in court.
The Safety and Security Investigations Unit (SSIU) briefed Smith on the two cases which were handled at the Philippi police station.
The first case involved a 29-year-old man who was wounded during a shootout with metro police officers in Hanover Park earlier this month, while the second involved a suspect, allegedly found in possession of 118 tik straws and 40 units of heroin during a search of a property in the same area.
Smith said: “These incidents demonstrate a flagrant disregard for public safety, but also negate the good work being done by the City’s metro police department and other City enforcement services.”
He said the incidents, “amount to negligence by the police station in question”.
Smith said he would write to Western Cape police commissioner Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula to call for the Philippi police station, where the alleged suspects were held, to be investigated.
“The City will continue its representations to the Director of Public Prosecutions to have these cases re-enrolled. We are also considering approaching the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and the Western Cape police ombudsman about the conduct of the SAPS (SA Police Service).”
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said they would deal with the matter once the provincial commissioner’s office received a letter from Smith.
More: news24