In an effort to eradicate corruption, and promote good ethics within law enforcement, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Metro Police officers are undergoing training to continue to uphold the rule of law while they serve with pride.
The two-day training is held in partnership with the unit within the Eastern Cape Office of the Premier that monitors the implementation of anti-corruption measures.
It comes as Metro Police management noted a need to empower Metro Police members, in an effort to improve service delivery within the service. Training started last Tuesday, and includes stakeholders such as the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), COGTA and State Security Agency (SSA), with a special focus on corruption, promotion of integrity, and good ethics management skills within the police force.
The metro recently revealed that during a disruptive operation conducted by the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Police, high levels of illegal electricity connections were identified as one of the challenges facing the municipality.
During the operation four taverns in Wells Estate were bust for tampering with electricity, and had their electricity metres disconnected. The owners were issued with fines valued at a total of R48 000.
A total of 23 traffic fines were issued to motorists for illegally parking vehicles, causing danger and obstruction on the busy Koyana Road in Zwide opposite Melisizwe Butchery. The fines are valued at R23 000.
NMBM Metro Police brigadier, Trevor Smith, was pleased that most outlets had valid liquor licences, patrons were compliant, and under-age drinking was subsiding.
Nobulali Gawe, from the Office of the Premier, said that the training was aimed at shaping principled and ethical officers.
“We are here in partnership with other law enforcement agencies which are our stakeholders. We are here to support the metro to make sure the officers on the streets provide a service that is acceptable to the communities.
“The training is especially useful for the young and new Metro Police recruits, to capacitate and encourage them to work ethically. We want to see transformation and change of behaviour, and want them to understand that in rendering their services they are expected to do so in an ethical manner with integrity.
“They must be trusted, whether they are seen or unseen. We want them to have a change of mindset in how they conduct themselves in the work space,” said Gawe.
Metro Police’s Lieutenant-Colonel Mlindi Mangwane said that following the training, officers were expected to emulate the standard that is required when conducting their duties, which is to respect people and render quality services.
“We have seen, as the management of the Metro Police, that there is a necessity of empowering the members of the Metro Police about the dos and don’ts in public when they are conducting their duty, to minimise disciplinary hearings against the members.
“The objective of the workshop is to educate, to empower, and remind the officers about the rule of law, and that as law officers we must be under the radar in terms of discipline when we conduct our work.
“We must do our work under discipline and ethics. We should not be the law unto ourselves, but protect the citizens,” said Mangwane.
The PE Express unreservedly apologises for publishing the media statement from the Democratic Alliance regarding the state of the R75 road on February 14, without getting comment from SANRAL.
