‘Lawless’ cops cost province millions

Almost 60 police officers in the Eastern Cape were fired for serious crimes, including murder, rape and armed robbery, while a staggering R51-million – which could have been used to fight crime – was paid out in civil claims in the 2015-16 financial year.

A further 15 officers have been fired so far in this financial year, with R3.5-billion in claims still pending as of October.

DA leader in the Eastern Cape legislature, Bobby Stevenson, said yesterday the alarming figures had been revealed by Safety and Liaison MEC Weziwe Tikana at the legislature in response to questions he had asked.

Of the 73 officers fired in total, nine were found guilty of murder, six of rape, three of kidnapping and two of armed robbery.

The R51-million is almost double the R28.3-million paid out in the 2014-15 financial year.

Stevenson said 781 civil claims had been paid out in the previous financial year, compared with 667 in 2014-15.

“This is as a result of poor training and a lack of accountability, such as adhering to the basics, like writing up their pocket books,” he said.

“The good name and reputation of our hard-working policemen and women who work under difficult circumstances should not be tarnished by the actions of lawless elements who simply want to do as they please.”

Institute for Security Studies police expert Gareth Newham said the massive amounts of money being spent by police on civil claims was not restricted to the Eastern Cape.

He said civil claims, nationally, had jumped 175% over five years, from R106-million in the 2011-12 financial year to R291-million in 2015-16. “There is a bigger increase in the Eastern Cape, so there might be more of a problem,” he said.

One of the reasons civil claims were spiralling out of control was that officers were not being held accountable when they acted outside of the law.

“What is quite common is unlawful arrests [and] illegal shootings.”

“Police are not being held accountable.

“There are about 4 000 to 5 000 disciplinary hearings a year [nationally], but about half result in no sanctions or they are withdrawn.

“It’s also a managerial problem as they are not taking action.”

Newham said there was also a lack of public trust.

He said considering the vast size of the Eastern Cape police force, the number of officials fired in the province in the 2015-16 financial year (58) was relatively low.

He estimated between 30 000 and 40 000 officials worked for the provincial police force.

“Nationally, there are 198 000 officers so, when you look at it that way, 60 is [a] very small [number],” Newham said.

“For every 100 disciplinary hearings, only eight result in recommendations.

“In 92% of the cases people are not fired.”

He said R51-million could go a long way in ensuring a more efficient police force.

“It could make sure the police were better equipped or buy a few hundred more cars, which would result in quicker response times, or train more detectives.

“More resources mean better service and more protection.”

Police spokeswoman Colonel Sibongile Soci said: “We take note of the comments made by Mr Stevenson but cannot comment on a statement issued by another organisation, individual or party.”