Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Tensions rise among Langa SAPS members
TROUBLE is brewing at the Langa police station, with members of the SAPS at loggerheads.
The station commander, Colonel Diedre Engelbrecht, has been accused of misusing state vehicles while they were needed for operational duties.
In turn, the colonel accused SAPS members who were either facing or had faced disciplinary hearings of trying to tarnish her name.
One member, who spoke anonymously fearing victimisation, said the station commander was found in possession of a bench that was allocated to the police station.
The member said the bench was refurbished after it suffered weather damage, but when it came back she took it home.
“A criminal case was opened,” the anonymous member said.
“The bench was recovered and handed to exhibit stores as evidence.
“She was never charged for this case, but if a member of this station finds themselves on the other side of the law they get treated like pure criminals.”
Weekend Argus has seen documents revealing Engelbrecht had faced two charges in a disciplinary hearing, but that she had been cleared of wrongdoing.
Langa Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Alfred Magwaca said that he had discovered that there were rotten apples in the Langa SAPS who did not respect or acknowledge their superiors.
“So they are discrediting (senior officers), (employing) character assassination and forcing their ways while one is trying to fix something for the benefit of the community,” Magwaca said.
“I do not encourage people that will be lying to the media,” Magwaca said.
He said he was aware that the station was embarking on a clean-up drive “so that we, as the community of Langa, get better services”.
“Many people from Langa have been complaining about poor reception and misconduct from the police themselves.
“People use racial tactics to fight battles, and those who are not in the loop get to be lied to,” Magwaca said.
“They are involving unions and the community in the wrong way. Ever since I became the chairperson of CPF, I have seen change.”
The station commander declined to comment but asked whether the members who were speaking out against her had faced disciplinary action. She referred questions to the provincial police structures.
Police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk could not divulge details of the disciplinary hearing.
“It is our policy to conduct a departmental investigation following any misconduct or criminal investigation against a member of SAPS, however, this is an internal process between the employer and the employee and dealt with as such.”
Van Wyk also said that the case number Weekend Argus gave her for the alleged case against the colonel was for a theft case registered at Nyanga SAPS for investigation.