WHEN THE COLONELS GO – THE GANGSTERS MOVE IN 

Our Muizenberg station commander, Colonel Naidoo (38 years of service) and his Support Officer, Lt Colonel Rossouw (36 years of service), are being moved, against their will, and temporaril transferred to other destinations, with immediate effect. This is the second time in two years.

The first transfer in 2020 was based on the same allegations and there was no outcome or resolution but they were returned to their former positions. 

Now they have been criminally charged and removed again, with immediate effect for the same allegations.

Within a year of arriving at Muizenberg in 2019, the Colonel had completely turned the precinct around, and its rating climbed to 88%. In April 2019, Muizenberg SAPS was recorded as having the top crime prevention programme in the whole of SA, an achievement they maintained for three years.

DO YOU WANT THE POLICING IN OUR AREA TO DISINTEGRATE AGAIN AND ALLOW FOR INCREASED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY? 

In the past two weeks, we have seen seven incidents of armed robbery in Kalk Bay/ St James and Muizenberg alone. This is unprecedented and cannot be a coincidence.

We urge you to sign this letter to call on SAPS to:

●       explain to the law-abiding citizens of this community why they have taken these actions; and

●       to prove to us that policemen are not removed when they make lives difficult for gangsters.

If SAPS cannot, they have an obligation to drop these suspect charges and allow the Colonels to continue fighting crime in Muizenberg. 

Please sign below if you agree with this call to action. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in the eyes of the law - including our Colonels. 

LET US STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHTS AND OUR SAFETY

This missive is supported by the following organisations:

Community Police Forum

Councillors of wards 

Kalk Bay St James – SRA

Security Associations in the area

You can read more details about the cases against the Colonels here:

The charges laid against both Colonels were brought by one ex-Sergeant Salie – an ex-police officer who has since been trapped by SAPS in a sting operation. Salie was caught red-handed accepting a R10 000 bribe from a murder suspect that he was escorting to a bail hearing in the Wynberg Regional Court. Salie was consequently disciplined and dismissed from the force.

The 24 charges against Naidoo and Rossouw are mainly common assault that allegedly occurred when interviewing suspects after arrest. 

The complainants cited in the charges have all been previously arrested by members of Muizenberg SAPS. Between them have been accused of 4 murders, 23 attempted murders, 2 cases of rape and much else. They are well known criminals. The one complainant is currently in Pollsmoor (again) for murder. 

These complainants were represented by lawyers during interviews and never lodged complaints of their own.  This is not due process.  The statements against our Colonels were obtained by Sergeant Salie whilst the complainants were in Pollsmoor. Again, this is not due process. 

The Colonel is a fine policeman, committed to fighting and defeating crime everywhere it was to be found, and nowhere was this more evident than the police action against the gangs in this precinct. As a single mother, Lt Col Rossouw has sacrificed 35 years and significant time with her daughter in her commitment to fighting crime. The stress of these allegations is causing tremendous pain for all involved.  

Neither the Muizenberg Community Police Forum (CPF) nor the security stakeholders and neighbourhood watches were advised or consulted by the SAPS that their Station Commander was being charged and removed.   The CPF is deeply concerned and has requested an urgent meeting with SAPS General Patekile.

When Charles Kinnear, the head of the Anti Gang Unit was murdered, there was general concern that some  senior SAPS officers might be in cahoots with the gangs.

Cases have already been withdrawn against some of the alleged gang members. Who will hold the line against gangsters, gun-wielding criminals and rapists if they are released to our streets.

As the Colonels go out, the gangsters come in.