Patekile Vows Corrupt SAPS Members Linked To Gangs Will Face Full Consequences

Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile has reaffirmed that SAPS officers found to be working with gangs will face firm action, stressing that the service has fully cooperated with the police ombudsman’s investigation into gang infiltration.

His comments follow the release of a redacted 2022 report by Premier Alan Winde last week, a document made public after mounting pressure from civil society groups.

Patekile addressed the matter in Paarl in the Boland during a medal parade recognising long-serving SAPS officers.

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Communities across the Cape Flats continue to live in fear as gang violence persists, and the ombudsman’s report revealed troubling levels of criminal infiltration within the police service.

Patekile emphasised that community participation is essential in tackling these criminal networks, adding that SAPS remains committed to rooting out internal corruption.

He stated firmly that any officer implicated in gang activities will be dealt with decisively.

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“There was no reason for us not to co-operate, and we are not part of whatever was there. We have done what we have done and we know that some members were arrested and we dismissed quite a number that was involved directly or indirectly with the gangs, whether with a particular gang which talks of Tabisher of Modack and others, we have had so many, but we are continuing, whenever we find any of our members wanting.”

Patekile noted that dismissals and arrests of implicated SAPS members will continue as the internal clean-up progresses.

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