Probe fingers top FS cops

2010-01-15 07:54

Charles Smith

Bloemfontein - The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) is recommending that the Free State's chief of police, Amon Mashigo, and a few of his deputies be disciplined over the "manipulation of crime statistics", the misuse of travel allowances and unauthorised appointments.

Dan Morena, ICD chief in the Northern Cape, conducted an investigation which was ordered by President Jacob Zuma's office into the provincial management of the police service in the Free State.

George Mashale, a police reservist who submitted complaints to Zuma, told Volksblad he will ask the president before the end of the week to "remove" Mashigo as chief of police.

"We're sick and tired of corrupt people. I want to give President Zuma credit. He has kept his promise to investigate all complaints about corruption."

Irregularities

Morema pointed out several irregularities in his report, such as the manipulation of statistics, the unauthorised appointment of 36 civilians and some incidents where travel allowances were misused.

He made recommendations to Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa about how to discipline Mashigo and his management. He's waiting for feedback from the minister's office on some of the complaints.

Morema found that Joey Kers, provincial chief of crime intelligence, had given incorrect crime statistics to the minister of police during a visit in January 2009.

Mashale's complaint stated that Kers was warned that the figures were incorrect, and that Mashigo was aware of this.

One of the other complaints is that Mashigo ordered two police officials to drive his official vehicle and a government vehicle to Pretoria, while he flew there.

The one official's defence was that he had to obtain a warning statement, which he failed to do.

Expense claims

In another incident, Pierre le Roux and Thapelo Mamabolo had reportedly attended the funeral of Mashigo's father-in-law, and claimed travel and accommodation allowances.

According to Mashale's complaints, Mamabolo was given a lift and still claimed expenses.

The ICD's report states that no policy could be found which would justify that trip. He found that Mashigo's secretary, following his orders, travelled to Pretoria with a government vehicle to fetch documents and a cellphone. Apparently they couldn't be sent by mail or courier.

She also attended a sporting event that her child participated in and claimed travel and accommodation expenses.

The ICD found that the appointment of 36 civilians to the unit for crime intelligence was done contrary to the policy. The procedure which followed and the police's responses about the appointments were also "dubious".
 
According to Mashale, the people were appointed by Kers and a close friend in his office. Most of them are friends and family members. The posts were never advertised. Moses Dlamini, national spokesperson for the ICD, confirmed the report.

Mashigo's spokesperson said the case is still sub judice and he will not comment at this stage.

- Volksblad