Last week Premier Alan Winde received a progress report from Western Cape Police Ombud (WCPO) Major-General (Ret) Oswald Reddy on his investigation into alleged links between officials of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape and gangsters.
At the core of this issue are grave concerns that police members in the province, among them senior officers, are colluding with gangs, to the detriment of the communities the police are meant to serve.
The Ombud has informed the Premier that the probe is at an advanced stage. A team of investigators from the WCPO is considering the bundle of documents relating to the Western Cape High Court judgment that has given rise to these disquieting claims.
“I have been assured this matter is receiving the attention it deserves and will be finalised as soon as possible,” Winde stressed.
The Western Cape High Court judgment, delivered last month, stated there is evidence that top management structures of the police in the province had been infiltrated by gang members.
The Premier reiterated: “We must use all the resources available to us, such as the Police Ombud, to get to the bottom of this issue.
“These allegations horrify me, and we must get answers that will inform our next steps.”
