THE EFF EC WANT POLICE COMMISSIONER LT-GEN VUYISILE NCATA REMOVED IF FOUND GUILTY OVER THE MISSING R80 000
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Eastern Cape is baffled after learning about concerning reports regarding the alleged disappearance of approximately R80,000 linked to the office of the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Vuyisile Ncata.
The EFF EC said while investigations must be allowed to take their course and no individual should be presumed guilty before the conclusion of due process, these allegations nevertheless raise troubling questions about accountability and governance within the highest structures of law enforcement in our province.
“The EFF has consistently called for the appointment of a permanent Provincial Police Commissioner after the province endured more than a year without stable leadership. However, we equally raised concerns about the promotion of Lieutenant-General Ncata, given his record as Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner. At the time, we questioned why an individual associated with a district that continues to record some of the highest levels of violent crime in the country was elevated above many deserving police officials with proven track records of service and leadership.
“Nelson Mandela Bay remains one of the crime hotspots that required national intervention, including the deployment of soldiers earlier this year, due to escalating levels of violent crime that continue to terrorise communities. These latest allegations only deepen concerns about the judgment that informed his appointment and raise serious questions about his fitness to lead the police service in the Eastern Cape,” said Zilindile Vena who is the EFF EC Chairperson.
Vena said if found to have been involved in any wrongdoing, Ncata must be removed from office without delay and subjected to all applicable sanctions provided for within the law and SAPS disciplinary framework.
“South Africa cannot claim to be serious about fighting corruption while senior public officials continue to enjoy protection and privileges after betraying the public trust.The EFF will furthermore be writing to the Minister of Police to account for the rationale behind this appointment and to explain why concerns raised at the time were ignored. At such critical times, the people of the Eastern Cape deserve a functioning police service led by individuals of unquestionable integrity, not leaders whose conduct further undermines public confidence in law enforcement,” she said.
Vena said they reaffirm their position that the crisis within SAPS requires more than isolated investigations.
“It demands decisive action to root out corruption, strengthen accountability mechanisms and restore public confidence in law enforcement. The truth is the people of the Eastern Cape have lost confidence in the police service that repeatedly finds itself at the centre of allegations of corruption and misconduct while crime continues to terrorise communities.
“Accountability cannot be selective, and rank cannot be a shield against scrutiny. SAPS must be cleansed of corrupt elements if it is to regain its legitimacy and fulfil its constitutional mandate.”
