News

National Police Commissioner, General Fanie Masemola, has confirmed that eight members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) implicated in the video which shows the assault of three civilians on the Gauteng highway, have been issued with suspension notices.

The officers have also been temporarily removed from their posts pending investigations.

The police said they have since successfully traced the victims and that they have encouraged them to open cases against the police officers.

“I want to reiterate that the SAPS does not condone such behaviour at any point,” General Masemola said.

Addressing the media in Vanderbijlpark earlier on Thursday, General Masemola said no amount of provocation can ever justify or validate what was witnessed on the video clip.

The media briefing was called to update the nation on key policing matters. The briefing also focused on successes achieved by the SAPS's nationwide high density operations.

“We generally follow a very stringent process to identify members that should be protecting our principals, so for those members to have conducted themselves in such a manner, is quite concerning.

“We pledge to offer our full cooperation to the IPID investigation, at the same time ensuring that our internal processes are not compromised in any manner,” General Masemola said.

General Masemola explained that SAPS has clear instructions on the role of VIP Protectors whose mandate is  to ensure that an integrated protection service is rendered to all individuals identified as VIP’s.

“The protection of VIP’s is provided for in terms of the policy on protection packages.

“The policy is in accordance with 2014 Cabinet memorandum. In executing their duties, close protection officers must at all times portray professionalism, discipline, politeness, enthusiasm, and high ethical conduct, at all times prioritising the safety of their principals,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy President Paul Mashatile whom the implicated police officers are said to be his protectors also condemned the incident.

“Members of the SAPS are meant to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of every person and exercise the powers conferred upon them in a responsible and controlled manner,” said the Deputy President.

General Masemola said in terms of Regulation 176 and 185 of the National Road Traffic Regulations of 2000, any member of the service can use blue lights and sirens if necessary in order to execute his/her duties.

“Therefore, when members are on convoy, they are permitted to use blue lights. This should be done taking into account the safety of other road users.

“A police official may exceed the general speed limit with or without the use of a blue flashing light, provided that he/she drives the vehicle in the execution of duties necessitating this and with due regard and careful consideration of the safety of other road users,” he said.

General Masemola also called on members of the public to direct complaints against a close protection officer to the SAPS Complaints Directorate on 0800 3331 77.  - SAnews.gov.za

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says tax administration tools are imperative to countering illicit financial flows and ensuring that governments can continue to collect revenue and serve society.

He was addressing the 13th Africa Initiative Meeting held by Tax Transparency in Cape Town on Thursday.

The Minister highlighted that in Africa, illicit financial flows are costing governments between €48 billion and €77 billion – valuable resources needed for functioning governments.

“[Tax administration] is one of the most valiant career callings because it is at the centre of enabling governments to provide infrastructure and basic services, and improve the lives of society at large, but especially the lives of the poor, vulnerable and marginalised. As tax administrators, you are tasked with the imperative responsibility of collecting what is due to governments in a timely and efficient manner.

“However, this task is not easy where tax evasion, tax crimes and illicit financial flows continue to spirit away revenues due to the State. A means to counter this scourge is [allowing] tax administrations, with the requisite tools and capabilities, measures such as tax transparency through Exchange of Information (EOI), as facilitated by the Global Forum and its regional partners,” he said.

Godongwana emphasised that although these tools are being improved, “this is only effective where the necessary political will is explicit”.

“We see this in the quality of laws that are passed, international agreements that are entered into, and the commitment to build competent and fully resourced tax administrations and the development of best international practices in effective tax administrations,” he said.

The Minister reflected on the efficiency of international tax standards and how these have become an “effective tool” in curbing tax evasion and other illicit financial flows.

“During the past eight years, the Africa Initiative has changed the tax transparency landscape in Africa, enabling the mobilisation of more than €310 million in domestic resources. However, continuous action is needed to ensure a long-lasting positive impact.

“Working with its regional partners, the Global Forum should continue to serve African countries and to support the Africa Initiative in its efforts to build or enhance their capacities to use the EOI standards at their full potential on the continent.

“From the South African experience, I can unequivocally say that [Exchange of Information on Request] and [Automatic Exchange of Information] are essential tools to drive tax compliance. As such, I want to urge members of the Africa Initiative to continue this important work, to collaborate closely, and to ensure that a sustainable legacy is left behind for future generations,” Godongwana said. – SAnews.gov.za

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has passed his condolences to the families of those affected by a gas cylinder leak which killed at least 17 people in Boksburg on Wednesday evening.

A further 11 people have been hospitalised with some of them in a critical condition.

The incident comes just six months after a gas tanker exploded – killing at least 40 people in the same area.

Addressing the media at the site of the incident, Lesufi said support will be given to families of those affected and the surrounding community where the incident took place.

“We want as national government, provincial government and local government to extend our sincere condolences to all the families that have been affected. It’s a tragic event.

“We have learnt from the previous incident and our systems…this time, were on par and they responded the way we advised them and the lessons we learnt from the previous explosion. We are strongly monitoring the situation and we keep our eye on it. We have asked our experts to remain here,” he said.

It is believed that the gas cylinder was cut by illegal miners in the area – causing the leakage.

Lesufi condemned the alleged criminality and said a specialised unit needs to be formed in the SA Police Service to combat the scourge.

“We are under siege. We are using outdated law enforcement mechanisms in a new era that needs new forms of law enforcement. We have to overhaul our law enforcement response.

“This thing of illegal mining is completely out of control. I am of the view that we need a specialised way of training our law enforcement. They try…[but] the fire power of the illegal miners and the resources that [police] have are not…at the level that they confront these things.

“I am calling for a completely new strategy in confronting this thing. A strategy that is well resourced and the capability of our law enforcement agencies that are at a higher level and they need to respond as if we are in a war zone,” he said.

The premier said police are doing what they can to combat illegal mining but, he said, the service needs to be further capacitated.

“The police are doing their best…[however] we are exposing them because they are confronted with a situation that is well resourced, well connected and that has the firepower to create problems for all of us. We just have to capacitate the police with the necessary firepower to respond.

“We need firepower… from technology and from the air. If people get out of those illegal mines and come out, we need to be able to pick them up and we need to know where these activities are taking place. We can’t do that with the naked eye or the resources that we have,” he said.

The Premier is expected to meet with community leaders in the area. – SAnews.gov.za