Holomisa 'worried' about SAPS, Crime Intelligence aptitude amid looming SANDF deployment

Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa has admitted that he is worried about weaknesses in the police and its Crime Intelligence, as the South African Defence Force (SANDF) prepares to assist the police fight crime in two provinces.

Holomisa acknowledges there’s been a lot of focus on police and Crime Intelligence in the Madlanga Commission and the parliamentary ad hoc committee, with senior officials implicated.

But he said the army will still work hand in hand with the police, adding that the military’s own intelligence arm has its own challenges.

Holomisa said a joint operation between the police and the defence in Gauteng and the Western Cape will be intelligence driven in most parts.

ALSO READ:

SANDF deployment not enough to stop gang violence, says CoCT

Ramaphosa to deploy soldiers in WC, Gauteng to quell gang violence, illegal mining

Ramaphosa warns criminals that soldiers deployed to WC, Gauteng ‘trained to kill’

But he does have some reservations about police and crime intelligence following reports from the Madlanga Commission and parliament inquiry about its senior leaders.

“Definitely, we have to be worried about the top echelons of the police. In fact, the Madlanga Commission has opened our eyes, thanks to general Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.”

But Holomisa said the SANDF and the police are almost ready to implement their tactical plan to fight illegal mining in Gauteng and gang violence in the Western Cape.

He said for now, the deployment will be limited to a few hundred defence force members, who will be strategically deployed to the two provinces.