Masemola calls for greater collaboration between courts and SAPS
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said the arrest of criminals is one thing, however, their appearance in court and prosecution is another.
The National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola. Picture: X/SAPoliceService
JOHANNESBURG - National police commissioner Fannie Masemola has called on government for greater collaboration between the courts and South African Police Service (SAPS) members.
On Thursday, Masemola alongside Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya and Gauteng police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni, provided an update on their respective crime-fighting efforts.
On the topic of undocumented foreign nationals and the scourge of extortion-related crimes, the top brass revealed that to date, 14 suspected extortionists have been killed by police, while 11 SAPS members linked to extortion have been arrested.
On Thursday, in the Johannesburg CBD alone, 139 undocumented foreign nationals were nabbed.
Masemola said the arrest of criminals is one thing, however, their appearance in court and prosecution is another.
“Police work 24 hours. The courts work 7-to-4 except in cases of extreme emergency. That on its own creates an impression that the system is not running together. So, the courts won’t be as fast as how quick we are to bring people before them.”