Statement by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety

Statement by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety

Lamoer corruption conviction welcomed

Date: 20 February 2018

Release: Immediate

I welcome the conviction of former Provincial Police Commissioner, Arno Lamoer, and two senior SAPS officials in the Western Cape High Court yesterday on corruption charges.

The corruption conviction yesterday is a stark reminder to everyone within the police ranks that when you should know better, you should do better or you will face the full might of the law.

Crime and corruption has no place in the police and cannot be tolerated or overlooked – regardless of rank, status or service history.

Though the conviction yesterday brings to a close a painful exercise of self-reflection for the accused and the police at large, it should not be dismissed as an isolated incident.

I still receive too many complaints from community members about police officers being in cahoots with gangsters, captured by those with criminal intent or not serving the safety interests of the people they are supposed to protect.

I urge the Provincial and National Police Management to continue cleaning out the rot whenever and wherever it is detected.

The reputational damage done to the dedicated men and women in blue, serving our communities on a daily basis was evident last year when during my Department’s Policing Needs and Priorities determination process, it was clear that communities want less corruption within the SAPS. The perception persisted that some police officials are corrupt, bolstered by the high profile corruption charges brought against the former Provincial Commissioner.

The Western Cape Government will continue to hold the police accountable as is expected from us as constitutionally mandated through our oversight.