Politicians go head to head over cops row
Cape Town - 120816 - City Councillor and Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, visited Siyaxolela Bongco's family to give his regards on their loss and to see what the city can do to help them. Siyaxolela Bongco was killed in the recent violent service delivery protests, allegedly organized by the ANCL in an attempt to make the City of Cape Town ungovernable. Pictured left to right is Bongiwe Bonco (Siyaxolela's sister-in-law), Noxolo Mziba (Siyaxolela's fiance), Nolundi Bongco and JP Smith. Reporter: Daneel Knoetze PICTURE: DAVID RITCHIE Cape Town - 120816 - City Councillor and Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, visited Siyaxolela Bongco's family to give his regards on their loss and to see what the city can do to help them. Siyaxolela Bongco was killed in the recent violent service delivery protests, allegedly organized by the ANCL in an attempt to make the City of Cape Town ungovernable. Pictured left to right is Bongiwe Bonco (Siyaxolela's sister-in-law), Noxolo Mziba (Siyaxolela's fiance), Nolundi Bongco and JP Smith. Reporter: Daneel Knoetze PICTURE: DAVID RITCHIE
Cape Town -
Cape Town’s most prominent politicians have gone head to head over the alleged “breakdown” of the relationship between the SAPS and the metro police in the city.
The issue, which has been simmering for the past few weeks, was debated at a full council meeting on Wednesday.
At one point things became so heated that mayor Patricia de Lille warned against “squabbling while Rome is burning”.
The ANC said JP Smith, the city’s mayoral committee for safety and security, was to blame for the city’s conflict with the SAPS. Smith, in turn, said senior police officers with political links were souring the relationship with the metro police.
The council on Wednesday discussed approval for the establishment of “auxiliary law enforcement” which will bolster policingover busy periods.
Tony Ehrenreich, the leader of the ANC in council, blamed Smith for the conflict between the two forces.
”Clearly the relationship between the SAPS and metro police has broken down. We must ask ourselves why.”
Ehrenreich said there had been an increase in by-law violations under Smith’s watch and he was the main reason for the poor relationship.
Smith said the metro police and the SAPS had an “excellent relationship at grassroots level”. He said the issues arose with “one or two individuals… with political connections”.
bronwynne.jooste@inl.co.za
Cape Argus