Winde releases police ombudsman's report into alleged gang infiltration in WC's police management

CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has finally released the long-awaited police ombudsman’s report into alleged gang infiltration within the province’s police management.

The report was commissioned in 2022 by Western Cape Police Ombudsman Major-General Oswald Reddy.

It followed a high court ruling by High Court Judge Daniel Thulare, suggesting that members of the 28s gang may have influenced senior South African Police Service officials.

The report, seen by EWN, has found that a complaint of unacceptable conduct against a provincial police commissioner and his senior management was likely more true than not.

Winde has faced criticism from a number of civil groups for sitting on the findings of the report, amid ongoing gun and gang violence in Cape Town.

The premier said that over the past three years, his government had fought to have this matter properly investigated, with those found guilty to be prosecuted and locked away.

However, the premier said their efforts had been obstructed by the slow progress of the SAPS and policewatchdog IPID's investigations into Judge Thulare’s comments.

Winde added that he had been reluctant to release the report to demonstrate good faith with the SAPS and IPID, and to protect those involved with the investigation.

"The necessity of this latter consideration can be in no doubt, as in the original matter heard by Judge Thulare, no fewer than three witnesses had already been murdered."

He said it was for this reason that the relevant identities had been redacted in the report.

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