DURBAN - A former Durban police captain has accused SAPS management of shielding a senior officer allegedly tied to the theft of items recovered during the July 2021 unrest.
New criminal and disciplinary processes are now underway after the original cases were closed without results.
Retailers lost millions in stock during the 2021 unrest.
Some items were never seen again, while others were damaged or burnt.
In some instances, though, police were able to recover the stolen goods and they were taken to local stations.
At the Greenwood Park SAPS, several items were subsequently stolen from the exhibit room, and cases were registered.
All cases were closed fairly quickly, with no results.
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The SAPS says two of the cases have been reopened after the former captain provided new evidence.
It also confirms an internal process is underway, but denies the implicated official is being protected.
eNCA has seen statements from six witnesses which corroborate the retired officer’s version, but they have yet to be interviewed by detectives.
- eNCA senior reporter Dasen Thathiah finds out more.