The IFP has welcomed the news that the state plans to seize assets worth R8 million, owned by three former police officers convicted of drug dealing and fraud. In addition, the IFP has welcomed the hefty sentences handed down to the three men in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The IFP is equally pleased with the work of the judiciary.
“The IFP lauds Judge Nico Coetzee for handing down such lengthy sentences to the three former policemen accused of racketeering, drug dealing, fraud and theft. The hefty sentences of 25, 22, and 20 years respectively for the three will send out a clear message that no-one is above the law. Not even police officers,” said Mr Velaphi Ndlovu MP, the IFP’s spokesperson on Police.
Ndlovu said that he hoped the lengthy jail terms and the seizure of assets by the NPA will send out a strong message to other law enforcers that the State will not tolerate corrupt officials.
“These men took an oath to preserve and protect the law, but instead they were abusing their positions and privileges to break the law. They used state machinery, paid for by the taxpayer, to steal and defraud the State, all whilst working for an elite unit of the SAPS. We hope this sends out a clear message that if you are found to be corrupt, you will be dealt with harshly,” said Ndlovu.
The IFP is hopeful that these convictions will repair some of the damage inflicted on the SAPS. “The SAPS continues to suffer a great deal of damage to its reputation through the actions of corrupt officials. However, this conviction will, without a doubt, repair some of this damage to the organization’s image and credibility,” said Ndlovu.
The IFP extends its congratulations to the National Prosecuting Authority on a job well done. “The IFP hopes that the conviction and sentencing of these three cops will further spur on the NPA to continue to root out rampant corruption wherever it has manifested itself in society. Especially within government and within the SAPS.”
Velaphi Ndlovu MP
