/ 25 October 2006

ACDP calls for probe into ‘porn-watching’ flying squad

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) called on Wednesday for a commission of inquiry into Bloemfontein’s flying squad, allegedly caught watching a pornographic movie while telephones rang unanswered.

Free State ACDP leader Casper Nordier said far too many media reports showed problems at Bloemfontein’s flying squad.

”These include telephones not being answered, or no response if answered.

”There are also allegations of racism and also that the members do not know where certain suburbs are located,” he said.

Nordier said he has written to Free State provincial minister for safety and security, Playfair Morule, in this regard.

”If the negative reports are inaccurate, this will be reflected in the proposed commission’s findings,” said Nordier, who pointed out that there were also positive media reports.

The ACDP was reacting to media reports on Wednesday in which an ANC member of the National Council of Provinces, Neels van Rooyen, accused the flying squad of not answering their telephones while watching a movie on e.tv on Saturday night.

Van Rooyen told the Volksblad that nobody at the flying squad answered his daughter’s phone calls on Saturday night when she phoned about robbers trying to break into her house in Wilgehof.

Van Rooyen said his wife also phoned the flying squad unsuccessfully.

”I eventually at 2am went to the flying squad’s offices at the back of the premier’s house.

”Flying squad vehicles stood outside and I could walk through the office building without somebody stopping me,” Van Rooyen was quoted as saying.

”Inside three police officers sat in front of computers while phones were ringing.”

Van Rooyen confronted the officers, who allegedly denied any unanswered calls. He also saw that the television was on one of those ”late night pornographic programmes on e.tv”.

Van Rooyen told the South African Press Association on Wednesday that he and his daughter were compiling a statement on what had happened on the day. ”We want to send it to the provincial commissioner of police first and see what happens,” said Van Rooyen.

”The situation was utterly unacceptable.”

Van Rooyen said he might also put in a motion at next week’s sitting of the National Council of Provinces.

Free State police said on Wednesday the matter was under investigation.

”This morning the provincial commissioner Amon Mashigo held an urgent meeting with the management of the southern Free State regarding this matter,” Superintendent Motantsi Makhele said.

”He felt very disturbed by these allegations, and deemed them in a very serious light.”

Makhele said an investigation team was formed to investigate the matter.

He said it was expected that the investigation team would report back to the provincial commissioner on its findings before noon on Thursday.

Makhele said if anyone was found to have contravened any regulations or policies, they would be brought to book to make sure that police deliver services as required. — Sapa