Police commander faces action over Peddie heist

THE Peddie police station commander has been transferred pending disciplinary action related to a heist in which up to 30 firearms were stolen from the station’s evidence locker.

This comes after a team of top investigators were called in to assist with the probe. Police announced yesterday that a task team – including experts from the police head office – had been formed to investigate the burglary.

Tuesday’s incident saw burglars break into the strongroom through the roof.

The station commander was taken in for questioning by investigators.

According to police insiders, the register showed police firearms – including 12 assault rifles, 12 handguns and six shotguns – had been stolen. Other seized firearms are also believed to have been taken.

The burglary has prompted a warning that a largescale robbery in coming weeks is a strong possibility.

The strongroom, which is used as the evidence storage room known as the SAP13 storeroom, is meant to house seized firearms and exhibits.

Police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills remained tightlipped about the burglary but said a provincial task team, including experts from Pretoria, was investigating the break-in.

“It was reported on Tuesday that access to the strongroom was gained through the ceiling and firearms were found to be missing,” she said. “It is still a crime scene and a full audit of firearms allocated to the station for operational use and for exhibit purposes is in progress. Only after this has been completed will we be able to confirm the number of firearms stolen.”

Mills confirmed the station commander had been transferred pending disciplinary action.

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) slammed police management over the incident, calling it an embarrassment.

Popcru provincial chairman and Hawks organised crime unit commander Colonel Loyiso Mdingi said the provincial commissioner, cluster commander and station commander had all failed.

“This incident highlights a management crisis in the Eastern Cape SAPS at provincial level,” he said.