GAUTENG. – Lt.genl. Tommy Mthombeni, die provinsiale polisiekommissaris, sê in ‘n verklaring hy het kennis geneem van ’n verklaring wat deur die Stad Johannesburg se burgemeesterskomiteelid vir openbare veiligheid, dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, uitgereik is oor die inhegtenisneming van metropolisiebeamptes.
Dr. Tshwaku het genl. Mthombeni versoek om ’n onafhanklike ondersoek na die voorval te loods. Hy sê aanspreeklikheid en professionaliteit moet gehandhaaf word om die publiek se vertroue in wetstoepassing te beskerm. Die generaal bevestig polisiebeamptes het tydens die inhegtenisneming van metropolisiebeamptes reg opgetree.
Brig. Brenda Muridili, polisiewoordvoerder, sê luidens die verklaring word beweer dat Bekkersdal-polisiebeamptes sonder waarskuwing opgedaag en JMPD-beamptes op ongegronde en verdraaide aanklagte in hegtenis geneem het. Die verklaring doen ook ’n beroep op die provinsiale kommissaris om onmiddellik in te gryp.
Bekkersdal-polisiebeamptes het glo Vrydag vier JMPD-beamptes en twee onwettige immigrante in hegtenis geneem. Die ses verdagtes het op aanklagte van diefstal, opsetlike saakbeskadiging, betreding, regsverydeling en oortreding van die immigrasiewet in die Westonaria-landdroshof verskyn. Ná ‘n gesprek met die distrikskommissaris het lt.genl. Mthombeni bevestig dat die polisiebeamptes binne die perke van die wet opgetree het. Luidens die verslag is die Bekkersdal-polisiebeamptes deur die gemeenskap na aanleiding van gemeenskapsmobilisering teen die betrokke JMPD-beamptes, na die toneel ontbied.
Die vinnige reaksie van die polisiebeamptes hou verband met ’n nuwe bedreiging van ‘n toename in huisrooftogte en motorkapings in die Wes-Rand-polisiegebied. Die verdagtes in hierdie sake dra glo verkeers- en metropolisie-uniforms en gebruik voertuie met blou ligte. Gevolglik is die distrik op ‘n hoë gereedheidsgrondslag en polisiesigbaarheid is verhoog. Tydens stasie- en distriksizimbizo’s is die gemeenskap oor hierdie bedreiging ingelig en gevra om waaksaam te wees. Samewerking met gemeenskapsgebaseerde organisasies soos gemeenskapspolisiëringsforums en patrolleerders, asook privaatveiligheidsmaatskappye deur Business Against Crime South Africa se Eyes and Ears-inisiatief, het gelei tot die inhegtenisneming van 42 verdagtes vir kapings en huisrooftogte tussen Julie en September, asook die herwinning van 40 gesteelde of gekaapte voertuie in dieselfde tydperk.
Lt.genl. Mthombeni het die gemeenskap vir hul samewerking met die polisie bedank.
Lees die volledige verklaring in Engels hier onder:
MEDIA STATEMENT
Date: 20 October 2025
MMC for Public Safety concerned over unlawful arrest of JMPD Tactical Response Unit officers by SAPS
The MMC for Public Safety, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, has expressed deep concern and outrage over the unlawful arrest of five officers from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s Tactical Response Unit (TRU) and two members of the Vehicle Recovery Unit by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Bekkersdal.
This troubling incident, which occurred during a legitimate vehicle recovery operation, underscores a disturbing breakdown in inter-agency cooperation that threatens both operational integrity and public safety across Gauteng.
On 17 October 2025, TRU officers, acting on credible intelligence regarding a stolen vehicle, successfully located and began processing the recovery of the vehicle. During this lawful operation, SAPS members from Bekkersdal arrived unannounced and arrested the JMPD officers on baseless and fabricated charges.
In what appears to be a blatant abuse of power, SAPS confiscated the officers’ service firearms, cell phones, and vehicles, detaining them for the entire weekend without due process. When JMPD Internal Affairs investigators arrived to seek clarity, they were refused access and dismissed by Bekkersdal SAPS personnel, who failed to account for the arrests or charges.
Preliminary intelligence gathered by the JMPD TRU and K9 units has since revealed that the vehicle in question belongs to a known zama zama (illegal mining) kingpin operating in the West Rand. This development raises grave concerns regarding the motives and conduct of SAPS Bekkersdal, who inexplicably prioritized arresting JMPD officers over assisting in the recovery of evidence and the disruption of organized crime.
The detained officers were reportedly scheduled to appear in court; however, the lack of clear communication and administrative inconsistencies have resulted in confusion about the venue and status of their appearance, further compounding the injustice faced by our members.
The MMC therefore calls on Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, to urgently intervene and initiate an independent, transparent investigation into the actions of the Bekkersdal SAPS members involved. Accountability, integrity, and professionalism must remain the cornerstones of South African law enforcement.
The Department of Public Safety reaffirms its commitment to protecting the residents of Johannesburg, recovering stolen assets, and dismantling criminal networks. We will not be intimidated or deterred from executing our constitutional mandate. However, incidents of this nature erode public confidence and embolden criminality—a risk no responsible policing structure can afford.
This episode highlights deeper systemic challenges within SAPS, and the Department welcomes the establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee on the investigation of allegations against General Mkhwanazi and the Madlanga Commission. These oversight mechanisms are essential in restoring integrity and confidence within law enforcement structures.
We urge Commissioner Mthombeni and all relevant oversight authorities to address this matter with the urgency and transparency it demands.
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