Mufamadi gets tough THE ISANDO Truck Hijacking Unit has been summoned to the offices of Safety and Security minister Sydney Mufamadi after a probe into container theft carried out by organised syndicates failed to produce results.
Earlier this year five Kaserne policemen including the station commander were transferred after it was found that the unit had made almost no progress into hundreds of reported cases of cargo theft at City Deep.
Repeated complaints by trucking companies and cargo handlers eventually led to a report being drawn up and handed to Commissioner George Fivaz.
The report contained allegations of misconduct by the unit. The Isando Hijacking unit took over the unit's case load. Now the unit is itself in trouble with the minister, who has taken a personal interest in the case.
The unit has been criticised from all sides for failing to make a case that sticks against alleged syndicate members accused of massive container theft and bribery. Detectives will have to present ministry officials with evidence of progress at a meeting this month.
In spite of problems with the investigation the unit has managed to close down one syndicate that resulted in the arrest of several men last month.
They have also exposed a trail that leads to senior police and customs officials. Charges are being investigated against a Pretoria Central station superintendent who handled cases involving container theft at the Pretoria depot of at least R63m.
By Gavin Du Venage
