Pretoria - Police officials who team up with criminals will be tracked down and punished, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has warned.
Responding to the sentencing of an exhibit clerk from the Inanda Police Station, who was involved in the theft of 98 firearms from the police station, Mthethwa had harsh words for other police officials involved in crime.
"If there are still any such members who may be found to be collaborating with criminals, the ministry wishes to assure society that we will uproot and punish them. The police leadership will not tolerate such few elements to negatively portray the majority of our SAPS members as reckless and irresponsible," the minister added.
Mthethwa applauded the 20 year prison sentence imposed on 29-year-old exhibit clerk Thulisani Trevor Mfeka after he had pleaded guilty in the Durban Regional Court.
"We welcome this sentence as it sends a strong message that we are serious about fighting corruption and crime," Mthethwa added.
Mfeka was one of six people arrested after an investigation into the theft by the Hawks.
Four of the 98 missing firearms were recovered and the police station's commander has been removed from the station.
Mthethwa reminded police officials that society looked to them to fight crime and corruption and in order for police to meet these expectations they had to be upright and principled.
"Police stations are the face of our policing effort. The treatment we give to people who come in search of some help leaves lasting impressions not only about the particular station, but about South African Police Service as a whole," he added.
