JOHANNESBURG -Several South African Police Services (SAPS) officials are facing serious corruption charges.
On Monday, Senior Crime Intelligence Officer Feroz Khan made his first court appearance related to an alleged illicit precious metals syndicate.
With the increased arrests of law enforcement officials, those entrusted with enforcing the law are finding themselves on the wrong side of courtrooms.
The scandals have dented the SAPS image and further reduced trust in law enforcement.
Public Interest SA CEO, Tebogo Khaas, says this is a very sad chapter in the criminal justice system.
"It couldn't get any worse than when we see the top echelon of SAPS being hauled before court to account for their wrongdoings that they have allegedly committed," says Khaas.
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He adds that it is about time that this kind of comeuppance happens.
"There has always been rumors that we are not getting to the bottom of crime that is inflicting our communities," he adds.
In March, 12 officials appeared with businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala in the doc in connection to his over R360 million tender.
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On Wednesday, suspended National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola will will be appearing with Matlala and the 12 others on the dock.
Masemola, on the other hand, is not being charged with corruption, but a violation of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
The NPA’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), said there were allegedly several irregularities during the award of the tender and collusion by some members of the police’s Bid Evaluation Committee and Matlala.
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"We have a persistent problem of illegal mining, which seems to be unyielding and unending," says Khaas.
How can a kingpin arrested in Stilfontein escape, says Khaas. There have been allegations that the police assisted in the escape.
"To what level does this go?" he asks.
"As long as people know that they can actually get away with it, they are going to act with impunity," he adds.
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Khaas says, as Public Interest SA, they are happy things are gradually coming to light and that the dots are starting to connect as to what is emboldening criminal elements in the country.