Phiyega orders recall of apartheid-era ’ green cards
NATIONAL police commissioner General Riah Phiyega has ordered that the green “identity ” cards, which have been equated to the apartheid era “dompas”, be withdrawn with immediate effect in the Western Cape town of Worcester.
Phiyega, however, also admitted that police had long been aware of the use of the green cards before they were exposed by the media this week.
Phiyega, who was questioned by the National Assembly’s police portfolio committee, said Worcester police station managers had only ordered the withdrawal of green cards that bore the SAPS logo.
The green cards have roundly been condemned by political parties who said they had no place in a democratic society after it emerged that they had been largely issued to black workers and job seekers in predominantly white suburbs.
The Worcester Community Policing Forum (WCPF) had issued the cards in July last year in response to rising crime levels within predominantly white suburbs.
MPs asked Phiyega to explain why it appeared the controversial green cards enjoyed the backing of members of the SAPS management.
ANC MP and committee chairman Francois Beukman said: “We need to ensure all South Africans are able to walk the streets freely.”
Phiyega said she started investigating on Tuesday and found that the green cards were an initiative of sector four of the WCPF. She said that it was a “CPF-type arrangement, together with the participation of [sector commander] Sergeant [Julian] Plaatjies”.
Beukman said steps needed to be taken to ensure that a “clear signal” was sent to Plaatjies over his support of the system.
Phiyega yesterday said the cards would be withdrawn immediately.