Allegations of ‘crooked’ police surface

Colonel Khuthala Nebhisi.

The chairman of the Hout Bay Community Police Forum (CPF) has warned there are “crooked” police officers operating in Hout Bay.

Toby Adams told the CPF’s annual general meeting last week he had been tipped off about this at a recent police imbizo, and was told Hout Bay SAPS were investigating.

Hout Bay station commander Colonel Khuthala Nebhisi was at the meeting where Mr Adams made this allegation, but she did not comment on it during her address.

Later, when the Sentinel asked Hout Bay police spokesman Warrant Officer Tanya Lesch to confirm whether SAPS were investigating, she said: “You will have to ask Mr Adams regarding his comment.”

The Sentinel went back to Mr Adams, who said his information had come from a “high ranking officer” and implicated “one of two” officers at the Hout Bay police station.

Mr Adams’s warning about dirty cops was just one of the key issues raised at the AGM on Wednesday May 10.

Colonel Nebhisi told the meeting crime had dropped by 10% across all categories, although assault and domestic violence were still problems in Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg.

“I wish to thank all the role-
players in our community, and believe we are making inroads thanks to the partnerships that
are being formed with the police. This includes the patrollers in IY, the Hout Bay Neighbourhood Watch and the Hangberg Neighbourhood Watch. I also want to thank the 23 volunteers who assist us with victim support,” Colonel Nebhisi said.

Mr Adams said that while crime had dropped, police still faced many challenges.

“You ask what is causing crime, and it comes down to social problems and poverty. What flows out of that are drug dealing, poaching and all the other crimes we see,” he said. “The fact is that the SAPS needs the support of the general public,” he said.

The police were under-resourced and Hout Bay was one of the 21 police stations in Cape Town with “less than one” officer serving 500 people, he said.

If people did not open a case docket, the SAPS would reallocate resources to where they were most needed.

Colonel Nebhisi echoed those sentiments, referring to the recent murder of Hangberg resident Deswin Brown. (“Death on the street”, Sentinel News, May 12).

“No suspect has been arrested for this incident, and we need people to come forward. You can just make a phone call to us anonymously, and tell us what you saw. The only way these criminals will end up in Pollsmoor is if you report incidents to us.”

She said there were only two police reservists serving Hout Bay and surrounds, and she appealed for more residents to join the reservist programme.

Three vacant positions on the executive were filled at the AGM.Garry Qweqwe is the new public relations officer, Ziyanda Phandle is the project co-ordinator and Anja de Villiers returns as treasurer. Mr Adams remains chairperson, Vincent Sodladla vice-chairperson, Linda Lloyd secretary and Warrant Officer Lesch vice-secretary.

Ward councillor Roberto Quintas said he planned to spent R100 000 of his ward allocation on a CCTV camera network and licence-plate recognition software to monitor entry and exit points in Hout Bay.

“We will also be looking at the 2018/19 budget spend for a cyclops-style (360 degree) camera in Hangberg, which will be able to assist with convictions,” he
said.