High court reinstates axed Vearey’s security services
FORMER top cop Major-General Jeremy Vearey will have his personal security services re-instated following a Western Cape High Court order yesterday.
The axed Western Cape head of detectives lodged an urgent application for his security to be reinstated “with immediate effect as he feared for his safety”.
Vearey will now have two specialised officers from the SAPS Tactical Response team assigned to him for security.
The two officers, who were “vetted and appraised of the security threats”, were assigned with immediate effect.
“Where the applicant is required to attend at court for the purposes of testifying and for any necessary travel by prior arrangement (the respondents) will provide Vearey with four members of the Tactical Response Team for these purposes,” the order read.
The national commissioner and provincial commissioner of police are expected to file answering affidavits by July 30 and Vearey will file his replying affidavit by August 14. A date for the hearing is yet to be set.
“In the event that Vearey is reinstated with SAPS the protection of Vearey will continue. In the event that he is unsuccessful in his referral to the Safety and Security Bargaining Council the protection will continue, subject to the requirements of clause 11,” the order read.
Security for Vearey had been removed following his dismissal on grounds of misconduct for posts he made on social media.
Turning to the Western Cape High Court, Vearey had asked for the decision to remove the security on June 24 to be reviewed and set aside.
“Should the relief not be granted, it is highly probable that my life will be in danger as the newspapers and electronic media widely reported that my protection detail was terminated…
“The threats to my life have a long and chequered history. Approximately five years ago, I was officially informed by Crime Intelligence that threats on my life had been identified. These threats emanated from criminal gangs and even police officers,” Vearey submitted earlier this month.