Johannesburg’s Nelson Mandela Bridge from the top of the Red City Bus
Thousands of Gauteng cops patrolling streets without firearm competency
Some Gauteng cops are not only a danger to themselves but also the people they are supposed to be protecting. Relates to Gauteng’s police brutality problem?
Johannesburg’s Nelson Mandela Bridge from the top of the Red City Bus
The Democratic Alliance’s Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety has slammed the MEC for the number of cops in the streets without firearm compliance certificates. Kate Lorimer released a statement after the MEC’s response to a question revealed that there are 2031 SAPS members patrolling the Gauteng streets without the required certificates.
Lorimer has called on the Gauteng MEC for Comunity Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane to ensure those officers undergo competency training.
“Of the 2031 members that are active without a firearm compliance certificate, 627 officers are stationed in Tshwane. Ekurhuleni has 351, and Johannesburg has 196. The worst affected stations are Evaton with 45 and Sebokeng with 49 uncertified members. This means that these members should not be deployed outside the confines of the station as the risk and liability are enormous.”
Lorimer says that since April this year, 14 officers with valid certificates discharged their firearms. She says the with Gauteng’s high number f police brutality, these officers must be taken off the street immediately.
“These members are not only a danger to themselves, but to the public whom they are sworn to protect. When it comes to rank, 1034 of these members hold the rank of Captain within the SAPS.”
The DA says having so many police members unable to competently conduct their duties leaves residents of Gauteng badly under resourced and under protected.
The party are currently looking into the circumstances surrounding the 14 incidents where firearms were discharged without a certificate.
