Just not fair

PLEASE allow me to quantify my statement made in your article “Mitchells Plain police officers suspended” (September 22).

Cluster commander Major-General Greg Goss gave station commander Brigadier Cass Goolam an instruction to store several guns at SAPS Mitchells Plain that were used by the ill-fated Stability Unit.

These guns were not part of the “station strength” at SAPS Mitchells Plain and I understand that Goolam warned Goss about the dangers of this as he could not be expected to be held responsible for weapons that were not under his direct control.

After Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Jula set up the Stability Unit, he appointed Goss as its operational commander. As Goss is based in Mitchells Plain, the additional guns were stored at SAPS Mitchells Plain although they did not form part of the inventory of weapons for that station.

The point that I’m trying to make is that it is bizarre for Goss to suspend Goolam if he (Goss) was actually responsible for the safekeeping of those weapons given that he was the operational accounting officer for the Stability Unit.

I am confident that the Hawks will leave no stone unturned and will investigate this gross negligence without fear or favour.

Those responsible should be held accountable as residents are still reeling from another farce where guns from the police armoury that were meant to be destroyed ended up in the hands of gangsters on the Cape Flats. Colin Arendse Wynberg