Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Caryn Dolley
Published on 2024-03-18 11:58:35
Another scandal is brewing at the Mitchells Plain police station in Cape Town, where 15 firearms linked to the station have gone missing, dating back to November 2023. The station, located in an area plagued by gang violence, has once again put law enforcement officials under scrutiny.
A South African Police Service (SAPS) officer has been arrested in connection with the missing firearms, and Brigadier Jan Alexander, the former head of police in Mitchells Plain, has been temporarily transferred to another station in Cape Town. The move is part of a broader plan in the interest of service delivery, according to SAPS officials.
This is not the first time the Mitchells Plain police station has been embroiled in issues related to missing firearms. About seven years ago, 15 handguns disappeared from the station, leading to suspensions and dismissals of SAPS officers. However, they were later cleared of any wrongdoing.
The recent scandal has raised concerns about the lack of proactive communication from SAPS regarding the missing firearms, especially in an area known for gang activity. The Western Cape, where Mitchells Plain is located, is considered the gangsterism capital of South Africa.
In response to questions from the DA’s Ockert Terblanche, Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed that a police officer had taken the firearms for analysis but had failed to properly account for them. A criminal case has been registered, and Detective Constable Lubabalo Malongwe, stationed in Mitchells Plain, has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Brigadier Jan Alexander, who was accused of failing to secure the firearms and submitting false inspection certificates, has been temporarily transferred pending a disciplinary hearing. This move has caused concerns among law enforcement officials, as Alexander’s leadership has come under scrutiny for the handling of the missing firearms.
The repeated incidents of missing firearms at the Mitchells Plain police station have raised questions about the controls and management of firearms within the SAPS. Past investigations have shown a pattern of senior officers being involved in questionable activities, leading to concerns about the integrity of the police force.
The situation at Mitchells Plain has also been linked to the murder of detective Charl Kinnear, who was investigating the missing firearms saga. The ongoing issues at the station highlight the need for stronger controls and accountability within the SAPS to prevent further scandals and criminal activities.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
