DA lays complaint over police obstruction of corruption charges

I have laid a complaint today (4 August) with Gauteng Police Commissioner Perumal Naidoo concerning the obstructive behaviour of police officials with regard to my laying of nine charges concerning alleged corruption against Lembede Investment Holdings (LIH) and the ANC Youth League Executive Committee (see letter below).

On Sunday 2 August I attempted to lay these charges at the Johannesburg Central Police Station, but I was given various reasons why I could not do so, and I was told that the case was "political".

Under protest, and contrary to legal advice, I consolidated the nine charges into one charge, but have yet to receive a case number.

Yesterday (3 August) I managed to lay the nine charges at the Sandton Police Station after a lot of argument about my right to do so. The case numbers are:

CAS 87/8/2009
CAS 88/8/2009
CAS 93/8/2009
CAS 94/8/2009
CAS 95/8/2009
CAS 96/8/2009
CAS 98/8/2009
CAS 100/8/2009
CAS 101/8/2009

I have also requested Commissioner Naidoo to give a high priority to this important case, with no further obstructive behaviour.

Naidoo needs to ensure that the police do their job efficiently and objectively, with no perception of any political bias.

Letter e-mailed to Commissioner Naidoo:

Commissioner Perumal Naidoo
Gauteng Province

Dear Sir,

COMPLAINT RE LAYING OF CHARGES

I wish to lay a complaint against police officer Sebelebele at the Johannesburg Central Police Station.

On Sunday 2 August in the late afternoon I attempted to lay nine separate charges concerning alleged corruption against Lembede Investment Holdings (LIH) and the ANC Youth League Executive Committee.

Officer Sebelebele was obstructive, and questioned why I was laying the charge at this station. I replied that I was entitled to lay a charge at any station, and that the charges related to alleged crimes that took place in a variety of places. It was even suggested that I lay it at my home police station. He claimed that the case could not be recorded if a place was not specified, so I suggested the Sandton address of LIH.

I was also told that the case was "political".

I had prepared nine statements, but Officer Sebelebele insisted that I had to consolidate them into one statement, which was contrary to my legal advice. Under protest, I did one consolidated charge but have still not received a case number.

Yesterday (3 August) I managed to lay the nine charges at the Sandton Police Station after a lot of argument about my right to do so. The case numbers are:

CAS 87/8/2009
CAS 88/8/2009
CAS 93/8/2009
CAS 94/8/2009
CAS 95/8/2009
CAS 96/8/2009
CAS 98/8/2009
CAS 100/8/2009
CAS 101/8/2009

I request that the conduct of Officer Sebelebele be investigated and the appropriate disciplinary action taken in this matter. I understand that preventing the laying of a charge may also be a criminal matter.

I also request that this important case is given a high priority with no further obstructive behaviour.

Yours sincerely,

Jack Bloom

MPL

Statement issued by Jack Bloom, MPL, Democratic Alliance Gauteng corruption spokesperson, August 4 2009

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