1 000 Gauteng cops arrested

The SAPS refuses to confirm or deny whether a metaphor-laden speech made by Gauteng police commissioner Mzwandile Petros (pictured) was a resignation announcement.

The SAPS refuses to confirm or deny whether a metaphor-laden speech made by Gauteng police commissioner Mzwandile Petros (pictured) was a resignation announcement.

Published Jun 13, 2013

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Johannesburg - More than 1000 Gauteng police officers have been arrested and nearly 500 have been fired since September 2010, provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Mzwandile Petros said on Thursday.

 He said 1027 officers had been arrested, and 463 dismissed. Of the officers dismissed, 121 were fired for corruption.

"There are more than 42 000 police officials in SAPS (SA Police Service) Gauteng and most of them are serving the Gauteng community with pride and upholding the constitutional principles," Petros said in a statement.

"It is a small minority that is tarnishing the image of SAPS and we need to rid the service of such members."

He said three constables, two from Pretoria and one from Alexandra, Johannesburg, were arrested last week for allegedly aiding and abetting criminals after they booked out suspects from the Lindela Repatriation Centre.

The three were still in custody and would appear in the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

"In terms of the SA Police Service Act... members who are arrested for any alleged offence are deemed to be suspended with immediate effect," Petros said. - Sapa

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