‘Unconventional methods’ used to nab crime kingpins
THE “dark web” is where the police will be lurking to catch organised criminals‚ new national commissioner General Khehla Sitole said.
Sitole was speaking yesterday at the Bishop Lavis Police Station in Cape Town‚ where he announced his turnaround strategy for the police.
He said they would be using unconventional methods to catch key targets‚ which would include using the dark web‚ or deep web.
Sitole also announced the creation of a “modus operandi strategy centre” with the aim of catching organised-crime kingpins.
Using covert strategies‚ police had already apprehended more than 30 key individuals‚ including five “kingpins” alleged to have run a mandrax production facility‚ he said.
Sitole would not say who these were‚ but called them extremely dangerous.
Asked about his strategy for tackling gang violence in the Western Cape‚ Sitole said a new gang combat team had been designed.
He also addressed police morale‚ which has been shaken by corruption in the upper ranks and attacks on officers.
“Changing police members’ working conditions and changing their souls will be among my top priorities‚” Sitole said.
Mentorship and new training and development programmes would also be introduced.
“I want to reunite the SAPS. We need to fix what is broken‚” he said.