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INLSA<\/p>\n
MEC Nomusa Dube. Picture:SANDILE MAKHOBA<\/p>\n
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Durban – The eThekwini Municipality has called for a wide-ranging investigation or commission of inquiry to deal with \u201cdeep-seated problems\u201d in the city\u2019s metro police. <\/p>\n
Speaking after the release of the Manase progress report on Tuesday, mayor James Nxumalo said another \u201cindependent process\u201d was needed. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat forms part of that process is yet to be decided, but it has to be carried out to investigate all the issues within the police.\u201d <\/p>\n
The progress report also said the city was trying to find a \u201clegally sound solution\u201d to deal with the problems of leadership in the department after officers called for the removal of head Eugene Nzama. <\/p>\n
They said he was \u201cunfit to run the police department\u201d and claimed he had given instructions for misuse and abuse of police vehicles and \u201charassed\u201d taxi owners. <\/p>\n
Nzama was also accused of using his own construction company in the building of the Albert Park police building. <\/p>\n
His suspension was lifted last year after he took the city to court. <\/p>\n
The report points to unhappiness in the department and says steps need to be taken to bring about \u201cstabilisation of the environment\u201d and to \u201crestore morale and discipline\u201d. <\/p>\n
The Manase report stated that 30 trainee constables allegedly bought driving licences to get into the department. <\/p>\n
Nxumalo said the licence scam was \u201cwide-ranging\u201d and involved traffic department officials. He said the case was now being investigated by the Hawks. <\/p>\n
The progress report said eThekwini officers could be used as State witnesses to catch the kingpins involved in the syndicate. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Anti-Corruption Task Team is also investigating the allegations against the officers. <\/p>\n
There were also allegations that several high-ranking officers had relatives employed within the department, but no evidence of nepotism relating to these appointments could be found. <\/p>\n
The probe found that 14 officers were allegedly taxi owners – a contravention of the department\u2019s policies and national legislation which disqualifies them from holding taxi operator licences. <\/p>\n
The officers were identified through outstanding fines ranging from R5 000 to R117 000 on their vehicles. <\/p>\n
DA police spokeswoman Dianne Kohler Barnard said further investigations into the metro police could reveal bigger issues. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have visited police stations and there is no one employed there to verify matric certificates or driver\u2019s licences,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
She said a commission of inquiry was unnecessary and that it was a \u201cdelaying tactic\u201d being used to further prolong the release of the full report. <\/p>\n
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