Pretoria - The Ministry of Police has spoken out on an alleged early morning stand-off between its members and Tshwane metro police - a scuffle that reportedly broke out over illegally parked vehicles.
Media reports on Thursday morning said a scuffle broke out after members of the Protection Unit parked their cars illegally and they were subsequently impounded.
"Equally disturbing is that management from both parties were called in to resolve this scuffle. We expect of police management to meet in order to pave a way forward, share expertise on how to keep communities safe and not to meet to resolve illegally-parked vehicles.
"The ministry will, through an internal departmental enquiry investigate these allegations because we find such reports not only disturbing but utterly embarrassing to the whole cause of fighting and reducing crime in South Africa," said spokesperson Zweli Mnisi.
The metro police apparently intended towing away vehicles illegally parked in the street but were met with stiff resistance which saw "fist fight" between the two forces.
"We have criss-crossed the country, building relationships with communities, business, civic organisations and other vital role-players across the country as such we shall not allow such comical acts to dampen society's confidence in police," said Mnisi.
He added that the ministry took these reports seriously, and those found to have compromised the integrity of the police force, would be dealt with accordingly.
"We need men and women of honour to serve and protect society but those whose behaviour is contrary to our cause, we shall be hard on them." - BuaNews
