ALBERTON – A complainant opens a case of theft or assault or crimen injuria or whatever against a perpetrator. A docket is opened by the police.
Within a couple of hours the complainant receives a SMS which tells him who the investigator is, the case number, and a contact number.
Now it gets interesting:
1. The contact number given in the SMS (011 907 3125) does not exist. Presumably the SMS is computer generated, as this is the old number. The correct number to phone (Alberton) is 011 865 7400.
2. At some time afterwards the investigating officer will try and contact you to tell you about the court date – but guess what – they are not allowed to call a cellphone number. Maybe they will try and contact you at your last known address, but if you have moved, nothing else is done to find you.
Most complainants will give only their cellphone number (who wants to be phoned at work by the police?). Many people who do not have a work number also get robbed or beaten.
So – the police will not call your cellphone number, probably not go to your last-known address, and your case just hangs.
If a court date was set, and you (the complainant) do not appear in court, the case will probably be thrown out. Result – many criminals just go free.
Many people who have been assaulted or otherwise had their rights infringed do not get justice. Presumably crime statistics are compiled from guilty verdicts in the courts – is this a way that the SAPS shows a “remarkable drop in crime”?
Do the other police departments in Gauteng operate the same flawed way?
Advice: if you (complainant) have not heard anything about your case for some time, then go and enquire in person at your local SAP CID dept. Do not let the bad guys go free.
Sgt P F Nkuna from Alberton Police Station responds:
We are fully aware on the number sent by the SMS and we are working on that. Our provincial TMS office is attending to that issue as it is only they who can change it.
On the calling of cellphones, every detective can call any number at any time. While doing so they must pay for their private calls as they are given a register to record the calls.
Every month-end a register is submitted to our finance office with the statement of calls, and private calls are checked and paid for. On failure to submit, your phoning code automatically locks and you cannot phone until you visit finance and submit those documents. Once the code is active you can phone any number.
Yes, we had exactly this problem. Our case was thrown out, we were never contacted about going to court, never told about the bail applications, nothing. The person got off, is working for a security company, despite being arrested 4 previous occasions (once for possession of stolen goods)- we got no justice – no assistance – nothing! Went to a meeting with SAPS, Constable never bothered pitching up for the meeting! Promised a phone call, nothing!