PRETORIA – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has noted with grave concern and disappointment the unfounded allegations at reports by the media and in particular the Sowetan (05 January 2016) under the headline “Gloves off for Top Cops”, alleging a serious standoff between the Hawks and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
The reports purports that the two government institutions will be squaring off in the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane on Thursday (today) where the National Head of the DPCI Lieutenant General Ntlemeza will reportedly challenge the procedure used by IPID Executive Director Robert McBride to investigate alleged corruption in the appointment of a senior officer.
The DPCI refutes these ludicrous allegations with all the contempt that they deserve, further noting that making such unfounded statements will cause the South African community to lose confidence in the unit.
For the record, the HAWKS have not lodged any court papers nor are a participant in the so called corruption matter. Accordingly, this is a matter between SAPS Limpopo and IPID.
This plague of fake news is getting worse and must be condemned with the strongest terms possible. The role of the media in cross checking facts cannot be overemphasised. The media has to be the gatekeeper of facts, not fiction. Rumour mongering by a government institution is also a serious cause of concern and leads to questionable integrity on its part. Good governance is all about honesty, transparency, best decision making for all citizens.
