-
SA Police Service badge
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police is demanding an explanation from senior police management regarding the delays in appointing a Provincial Police Commissioner in the North West.
This comes after the position was recently withdrawn following interviews of candidates that were conducted months earlier.
More than five candidates were reportedly interviewed at the time, including former acting Provincial Commissioner Major-General Patrick Asaneng.
The SABC has reliably learnt that the position has since been advertised internally. Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police is concerned about these developments.
“Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some kind of political interference. We have seen that in the past and one must remember that the current events unfolding whether it’s at an Ad Hoc committee or Madlanga really leave a very sour taste with regards to SAPS and I think it’s created a lot of instability as well. I must wonder whether one of the reasons isn’t that they don’t want to make significant changes during this time of uncertainty. So, I wonder that could potentially play a role. Again, that would have to be explained to us when we do question them,” Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police Chairperson Ian Cameron elaborates.
Police unions, SAPU and POPCRU say they are shocked that no reasons were given for the withdrawal of the position of the Provincial Police Commissioner in the North West.
Tlou Mpheroane is the North West secretary of SAPU while Johannes Dire represents POPCRU in the province.
“The problem is we really don’t know what is the reason behind this, maybe we could understand it better. But for now at this moment we all don’t understand it because we don’t know what led to the withdrawal. We were hopeful that those police officers that did apply they were capable in absence that they would appoint one of them.”
“In the withdrawal letter they did not substantiate what are the reasons for the re-advisement. And which I think the SAPS policy on appointments requires that there must be a reason if the post is withdrawn why the post was withdrawn.”
Meanwhile, SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe had earlier told the SABC that they were in the process of finalizing the appointment but now refuses to divulge any further information saying it is an internal matter.
