Top cop suspended over racism

2008-04-10 21:01

Eric Lubisi and Thabisile Khoza

Badplaas - Parliament's portfolio committee on safety and security suspended Badplaas police station commissioner Captain Cornelius Potgieter with immediate effect on Thursday.

The suspension follows an unexpected visit to the station by a delegation led by the portfolio committee chairperson Maggie Sotyu, on Thursday after allegations that black personnel were forced to use a separate toilet that was also used as a chicken run for Potgieter's chickens at night.

Sotyu said on Thursday: "After meeting with all the officers and provincial SAPS management, it was found that racism was rife at the station.

"We recommended that the station commissioner be suspended with immediate effect."

The committee decided to investigate the station after reading about the racism allegations in a daily newspaper last month.

Some toilets kept locked

The article claimed that the "whites-only" toilet was kept locked, that white officers refused to drive the same vehicles as their black colleagues and that only black officers were made to work night shift.

A third toilet at the police station was also reported to always be kept locked with a sign saying "Court toilet" written on the door.

The article claimed the toilet remained locked even on days that the periodical court sat in Badplaas.

Sotyu said that when the delegation tried to engage with Potgieter he was arrogant.

"We found him wearing overalls and when asked about it, he arrogantly walked out on us and came back later with a sick-leave letter," said Sotyu.

She said Potgieter also was accused of stealing confiscated cigarettes from the exhibit room.

She said provincial police management would manage the police station until the investigation against Potgieter had been completed.

Provincial police spokesperson Sibongile Nkosi said an officer would be deployed to manage the police station as soon as possible.

"After the suspension, we soon will deploy someone to get the station in good standing, and provide good service to the community," said Nkosi.

She said Potgieter had been banned from commenting to the media while the investigation was underway.

- African Eye