Mbombela - Twelve investigators from across the country have been tasked with investigating a string of what may be politically-motivated murders in Mpumalanga.
Speaking at the opening of the new Pienaar Police Station outside Mbombela on Friday, South African police commissioner General Bheki Cele urged the public to come forward with information to help solve the cases.
"I've noted that every January from three years ago, people are being murdered," he said. "I've tasked 12 investigators from all the provinces to investigate the matter. Anyone who has information about any of the murders in the province must contact the nearest police station."
He praised Mpumalanga police for the swift arrest of four suspects implicated in the most recent murder, that of chief whip of the Ehlanzeni district municipality, Johan Ndlovu, who was killed on 5 January this year. One of the accused is a police reservist.
Two other victims killed in the month of January were speaker of the Mbombela local municipality, Jimmy Mohlala, who was shot and killed outside his house on 4 January 2009, and director of communication at the provincial Department of Arts and Culture, Sammy Mpatlanyane, who was shot in his bed with a police-issued firearm on 10 January 2010.
No one has been arrested for Mpatlanyane's murder, but in October, five suspects, including two policemen, were arrested for Mohlala's murder. The case is currently in court.
Cele said any police officers implicated in the murders, or any other crimes, would be dismissed.
Since 1998, at least 14 politicians or government officials have died under questionable circumstances in the province.
Meanwhile, Cele said the new Pienaar Police Station, which started operating in Daantjie in October last year, served an area that was considered to have the 14th highest crime rate in South Africa.
"Pienaar has become a leading crime spot in the province, that's why we built this police station. We want criminals to see police all the time and dream about police even when they are asleep," said Cele.
Cele said the new police station was one of the best in the country and included a prison, victim support centre and a world class identification parade site. He said 150 police officers were working at the station and that another 100 would soon be appointed.
The station was also equipped with 27 vehicles and would soon be getting another 19, he added.
Cele said members of the Tactical Response Unit, who wear berets instead of police caps, would also assist the station in clamping down on crime.
Cele urged community members to report bad cops.
"If you see a police officer drinking in a tavern, you must report that. We are suffering with police officers who use state vehicles to do their own personal or family work, while the community is being killed by criminals and there are no cars to attend the crime scenes," said Cele.
He said that since he took office last year, 100 police officers have been suspended from the police force and that some were arrested or already in jail.
