Winde decries national govt's failure to do lifestyle audits on WC's top cops implicated in ombudsman's report

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the government has failed to instigate lifestyle audits on the top police officials implicated in the ombudsman's report concerning police infiltration by gangs in the province.

Winde lodged a complaint with the police ombudsman in October 2022. This followed a bail appeal ruling by High Court Judge Daniel Thulare, which referenced the possible infiltration of police management in the province by the 28s gang.

READ: SAPS: WC's Patekile cooperated with police ombudsman's probe into claims of corruption against him

The redacted report, released on Thursday, reveals that allegations against the Western Cape police commissioner and his senior management are likely true.

Premier Winde stated that he prompted government officials to initiate lifestyle audits of the top police officials implicated in the police ombudsman's report when he received the initial findings in 2022.

Winde said he was advised that lifestyle audits would reveal if money was changing hands and if the implicated police officers' lifestyles were in line with their salaries.

"I've been trying now with three ministers. I think it's about 12 letters and communication follow-ups to say even the province, even the province will pay for the lifestyle audits, let's just get it going."

The premier also noted that he had been waiting for an update from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) related to its investigation into the allegations for more than a year.