The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard that members of the public are allegedly too afraid to report misconduct by Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers, amid claims of widespread criminal activity within the force.
Superintendent Elmarie de Beer, Head of the JMPD Internal Affairs Unit, told the commission that there is significant under-reporting of alleged misconduct because complainants fear retaliation from armed officers.
De Beer was the first witness to testify when the commission resumed public hearings following a brief recess.
She said some members of the public would rather lose money or property than pursue complaints against JMPD officers because they fear being targeted.
“It’s a very difficult situation,” De Beer told the inquiry, explaining that some people want to report incidents but are reluctant to do so because they believe officers are capable of retaliating against them.
She said only a small number of complainants are prepared to pursue cases, while others prefer to walk away from their losses rather than risk further consequences.
De Beer also told the commission that Internal Affairs was aware of allegations involving JMPD officers and serious crimes, including drug dealing, human trafficking, abductions and providing armed assistance to criminal gangs.
However, she said many of these allegations had not resulted in formal reports because investigators struggled to obtain information from potential complainants.
Alleged abduction of Zimbabwean nationals
Among the cases discussed was the alleged abduction and robbery of two Zimbabwean nationals.
De Beer told the commission that JMPD officers, allegedly assisted by a third party, robbed the siblings of R85,000. She said the officers then allegedly used their positions to pressure the victims into withdrawing a complaint lodged with Internal Affairs.
According to De Beer, the siblings subsequently disappeared.
The testimony bears similarities to evidence previously heard by the commission concerning alleged criminal activities involving officers attached to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.
Those allegations have since resulted in criminal investigations, with Ekurhuleni deputy metro police chief Julius Mkhwanazi among those arrested in connection with serious charges, including murder.
De Beer’s evidence forms part of the commission’s broader investigation into allegations involving JMPD and Gauteng Traffic Police officers who are accused of becoming involved in criminal activities outside their official mandates.
The commission is continuing to hear evidence concerning alleged links between law enforcement officials and organised criminal networks.