As the MMC for Community Safety, I am deeply concerned about indications that there is active resistance against measures being put in place to restore discipline, command and control, and ethics within the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD).
As a result of numerous complaints by members of the public who have become the victims of criminal elements within the TMPD, various directives and other internal measures have been implemented by the acting Chief of Police Basil Nkhwashu with my full support. These decisions and measures are all focused on ensuring a safe, ethical, and disciplined working environment for the benefit of the public and TMPD.
Although this does not come as a surprise, I am disheartened by manifestations of active and passive resistance against these ongoing attempts by the acting Chief of Police. I would have liked to see the whole senior management rally around the Chief in his efforts to address misbehaviour and to restore of the image of the TMPD and its members, which has been tarnished by the rogue crooks among them. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the case.
What concerns me even more is the alleged involvement of some of SAMWU’s representatives in something that I can only describe as support of criminal activities and a smear campaign against the acting Chief of Police. I would have expected the unions to welcome the interventions, which are aimed at improving their members’ working conditions and reputation, and to constructively engage the City and the acting Chief of Police in this process. Unfortunately, some union representatives seem determined to create and enforce the perception that they and their members are quite happy with the status quo, to the detriment of the City and its residents.
While I respect the unions and the role that they play, I want to caution against attempts to co-manage the TMPD. However, we do welcome constructive engagement with regard to these matters. Lastly, I want to assure our residents that the process to clean up TMPD continues, with the full support of the Executive Mayor and our coalition government.