Meyerton's station commander, Col. M. Lepitla, was stripped of his office last week after the FF Plus lodged a complaint against him with the Gauteng provincial Police Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Elias Mawela.
Col. Lepitla issued a directive in May last year to Meyerton police members prohibiting them from opening a case docket for certain crimes. According to the directive, no cases involving assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, ordinary assault, malicious damage to property and robbery may be opened if a suspect cannot be named.
The FF Plus asked Lt. Gen. Mawela why the directive was issued, and how it would affect crime statistics if it were to be enforced.
The directive also affects the functioning of the detective service.
The case against Col. Lepitla was handled by means of an internal hearing, after which he was dismissed.
The FF Plus will not stand idly by and look on as police station commanders issue wrongful directives to the detriment of crime victims.
Victims of crime must in every respect be afforded the opportunity to file a complaint with the police, and get the support from the police that is required to solve the crime.