Metro police facing probe

2006-08-01 20:45

Cape Town - Former magistrate Ian Yuill is to investigate allegations of poor management, negligence and transgressions of the law by metro police serving Cape Town's Helderberg region.

"Yes, (the brief) is fairly far-reaching but it's important to be as wide as possible so that one can investigate any allegation, rather than have a specific, narrow inquiry," said Yuill, announced at a city media briefing on Tuesday as chairperson of a committee of inquiry.

Yuill, appointed by mayor Helen Zille in response to complaints, is expected to hand a report to the mayor by September 15.

Among the alleged breaches under investigation is the alleged sale of meat by metro staff at municipal offices in Gordon's Bay, the regular closure of police offices and the "possibility of maladministration of any kind".

Committee will comprise six members

The R300 000 mayoral project-funded committee, which starts work on August 14, has 30 days in which to produce a report.

The committee, unlike a commission of inquiry, does not have the power to subpoena external people, but officers could be instructed, in terms of the code of conduct for municipal staff, to give evidence.

Yuill said the committee, which would comprise six members, would digest and evaluate any information received, before making recommendations to the mayor.

"I don't think the committee can prescribe what must be done," said Yuill.

The mayor could, depending on the nature and scope of the complaints, extend his mandate to look beyond the Helderberg situation.

Cloud of suspicion

Dumisane Ximbi, the mayoral committee member for safety and security, said they wanted to hold those accused of wrongdoing accountable.

"We also want to remove the cloud of suspicion hanging over the metro police, which unfairly reflects on dedicated and law-abiding members of the force."

Ximbi confirmed that a preliminary internal investigation conducted by the metro police would be incorporated into the new inquiry.

- SAPA