Durban — KwaZulu-Natal Transport Community Safety and Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka has lambasted poor police conduct and lack of commitment displayed by the investigating officer regarding a break-in case.
This follows a case of a local businessman, Sthembiso Sithole, who opened a case to the Taylors Halt police on November 1 after his premises were broken into and machinery and other equipment stolen.
Sithole is alleged to have lost welding materials and airtime worth over R2 000.
According to the department, until today, Sithole has not had any joy regarding this case.
It said, based on the reports, members of the community police forum and some community members received a tip-off about the whereabouts of the stolen goods being kept, and they quickly alerted the authorities. However, no arrests have been made to date.
Hlomuka said they are duty-bound to ensure police officers execute their duties of enforcing the law to the letter.
He added he had tasked personnel from the Department of Community Safety and Liaison to do due diligence and follow up on this matter.
“It is inconceivable that an investigating officer would show this much disregard and display such incompetence towards the oath he took to uphold the law.
“Monitoring and evaluating police performance is our primary mandate and, as a department, we will not rest until the complainant (Sithole) finds justice and the criminals who broke into his business are brought to book and face the might of the law,” said Hlomuka.
He further encouraged all community members to contact officials of the department should they feel dissatisfied with the service they receive at any police station in all the corners of the province.
Daily News