“We often knock the SAPS for their lack of action – and rightfully so.” These were the pointed words echoing across public forums recently as Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was placed on special leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa following explosive allegations from KwaZulu-Natal’s Police Commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

That hammer blow to national leadership has coincided with deeply troubling developments at provincial and metro levels, with corrupt police officers being caught red-handed looting truck cargo in Limpopo and extorting motorists in Johannesburg.

With public trust in law enforcement already threadbare – and the trucking industry ‘gatvol’ of the culture of bribery practised by ‘some’ (not all) cops – the time has arrived for the nation’s citizens to blow the whistle on corrupt cops (read on to learn how). Two incidents highlighted below highlight the type of action we want to see taken against corrupt cops.

Cargo theft and extortion

The Limpopo police service is reeling after two officers and a SAPS cleaner stationed at Modimolle were arrested for looting spilled truck cargo on the R101, just outside the town, in the early hours of 14 July.

A delivery truck carrying washing powder veered off the road and as opportunists began helping themselves to the cargo, a marked SAPS vehicle arrived. Instead of intervening, the two uniformed officers reportedly joined in the theft.

“Reports suggest that the complainant pleaded with them to assist in stopping the looting but instead, the officers allegedly joined in, loading a significant amount (of cargo) into the SAPS vehicle before driving off,” said SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.

A subsequent investigation led to a recovery of the goods at one officer’s home and linked a SAPS general cleaner to the theft. The three, aged 49 to 55, now face charges of theft and defeating the ends of justice.

“It is extremely disheartening when those entrusted with upholding the law violate that trust,” said Limpopo Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.

Two cops arrested for extortion

Meanwhile, in Johannesburg, swift action followed a public complaint involving two JMPD officers accused of extortion. According to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, a company driver was allegedly coerced to pay R8 000 after being accused of fleeing an accident scene.

Acting on the tip-off, JMPD Internal Affairs traced the officers to a Parktown garage where they were found in possession of R5 340 in unaccounted-for cash. Some of the money was hidden inside their patrol vehicle. Both officers were arrested on the spot for corruption and extortion. JMPD said the internal unit had acted promptly and assured that investigations were ongoing.

With fresh allegations surfacing almost weekly, the criminality within South Africa’s policing ranks is drawing sharper national scrutiny. And as higher-level political figures are implicated in internal power struggles, it is ordinary South Africans who bear the brunt of lawlessness by common thugs and by those in uniform.

Time to blow the whistle – and now there’s an app for that

As top police brass face internal suspensions and street-level officers are caught red-handed, the time for passive outrage is long gone. The need now is for active citizenship – and technology is finally lending a hand.

The Gauteng Provincial Joint Operational Centre (JOC) has confirmed a new avenue for accountability: “Through our collaboration with SaferCity, we are pleased to announce that you can now report police misconduct directly on the SaferCity app,” the JOC states.

Developed as a Gauteng Police Board initiative, the app enables citizens to upload photos, videos or audio evidence of wrongdoing by officers, be that bribery, abuse, or dereliction of duty.

Each report is reviewed by the Community Policing Forum and passed on to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for action.

But this is more than a reporting tool, claims the JOC. The app offers family location sharing, hotspot warnings, GBV (gender-based violence) and CPF (community policing forum) helpdesks, turning your phone into a real-time personal safety dashboard.

“Whether it’s a police officer demanding a bribe or an official turning a blind eye for personal gain, you hold the power to expose law enforcement misconduct,” urges the JOC.

Editor’s comment: We at FleetWatch fully back this initiative. It’s time to lift the veil on bad cops and protect the ones doing it right. Not to mention protecting lives, hard-earned cash and valuable cargo. Truckers – download the SaferCity app now!

Click on photograph to enlarge