Pretoria - National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele says the recent busts made by the South African Police Services was an indication that crime would not be tolerated.
On Monday, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Hawks, raided a R500 million drug bust in Durban, operated by a transactional syndicate, involving South Africa and other countries.
On the same day, six heavily armed men were killed in a foiled cash-in-transit heist at Kameelsdrift outside Pretoria, after a shoot-out between police and robbers.
Cele told the National Press Club on Tuesday that police will continue to try and outwit criminals.
He stressed that scores of police officers were executing their duties accordingly, adding that they were only a few, who put the name of the organisation into disrepute.
"We will deal with those officers who are not doing their job and who treat members of public with contempt. We must acknowledge that the majority of men and women in blue are performing outstandingly well," he said.
Commissioner Cele said one of the main priorities of the SAPS was to fight corruption.
He said his recent visit to police stations across the country showed a significant enthusiasm from members who pledged to work hard to fight crime.
Cele said the government came up with plans, and it was the role of the SAPS to implement.
One of the government's recent initiatives is the new Presidential Hotline which allows members of the public to lodge an enquiry or complaint directly to President Jacob Zuma's office.
Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa affirmed that the Hotline will help shame police officers who do not perform their duties accordingly.
The minister urged the public to use the new Hotline as a direct vehicle to report police non-compliance.
He said the Presidential Hotline is an indication to police officers that they cannot falter nor slow down in their service delivery mandate, which includes the protection of citizens against criminal elements.
"As a department, we will need to complement the vision of President's Hotline by setting up systems which will deal with complaints or calls related to police non-compliance, and ensure that these are speedily and effectively addressed," Mthethwa said.
He said government would remain unshaken in its commitment to secure a better life for all, and the fight against crime is an integral part of ensuring a better life for all.
