Target murderers, rapists and crime rather than Vearey, say activists
ACTIVISTS say a letter calling for increased visible policing – in response to a picket in support of dismissed SAPS Major-General Jeremy Vearey and dissatisfaction with the police service – should be directed at murderers and rapists instead.
The purported letter from the provincial intelligence head, Major-General Mzwandile Tiyo, was addressed to acting provincial police commissioner Major-General Thembisile Patekile and titled “Information Note: Hands off Our Coloured Generals Campaign”.
Shared widely on social media, the letter stated that an online social media campaign to mobilise and rally support for Vearey was making claims of possible pickets being planned at police stations. It was recommended that police visibility be increased to prevent any form of disruption.
Both provincial and national police did not respond to requests for comment yesterday.
Vearey also did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.
“Placing police on guard to try to silence activism while people have the right to protest … it’s a pity they can’t do the same when people are raped and murdered. Has he sent any similar e-mail about crimes on the Cape Flats?” asked activist Colin Arendse.
“The memo from General Tiyo depicts the racist narrative that is evident in the SAPS. The people’s campaign is in response to the corrupt actions taken against Generals Jacobs, Vearey and Lincoln. I am not aware of a ‘Hands off our Coloured General’s’ campaign,” Arendse added.
Representing the council of The Cathedral of St George the Martyr, Cape Town, in partnership with civil society organisations and concerned individuals, Father Michael Weeder said the picket was in response to police not paying attention to matters of a criminal nature.
“Police are always saying they are under-resourced when crime is reported. Given the nature of that, why would they be so focused on a citizenry announcement declaring an intention to picket around acceptable causes? Why should it be a concern of such a nature that merits an intel report?
“This is a community-based initiative by concerned men and women of South Africa appealing to our counterparts nationally and locally to raise our voices by way of a picket.
“We recognise some areas are more crime-ridden and these areas are where there is no wealth. The issue is bigger than the generals; it’s about the rights of children to walk to school, women to walk unmolested to prayer meetings, places of work or leisure activities,” Weeder said.
From 12 noon tomorrow there will be a silent vigil on the steps of St George’s Cathedral, Wale Street, and from 1pm the bells will ring again, chiming sounds of a call for freedom which will inaugurate a march towards the gates of Parliament. There a memorandum will be handed to a representative of the office of the president.
There will also be one-hour long pickets outside police stations in local communities, Weeder said.