Cape Town - A former Western Cape Crime Intelligence head has been fired from the police.
Major-General Mzwandile Tiyo’s dismissal followed after a Section 34 inquiry to establish his fitness to hold office after allegations that he “lost” a laptop and a firearm then used crime intelligence resources to find the thieves before assaulting them.
The theft happened in 2022 while he was at a tavern and the belongings were in a car parked outside the establishment.
Parliament’s police portfolio committee chairperson Ian Cameron welcomed Tiyo’s dismissal.
“The dismissal of Tiyo is tangible proof that misconduct of any form will not be accepted within the service. This is the first step in regaining credibility in the eyes of the community and will assure the people that SAPS will conduct their work ethically and within the code of conduct.
“It is unacceptable that a law enforcement officer unilaterally abused state resources to hide their misdeeds. The fact that the state assets were stolen at a tavern point to sheer disregard for the office he holds,” he said.
Cameron called for the completion of the criminal investigation and prosecution to ensure that justice was served and that the rule of law reigns.
“The portfolio committee is steadfast in its belief that one of the first pillars in repositioning the SAPS is the removal of rogue and unethical police officers who negatively impact on the credibility of the police.
“This is a good start, and we hope many similar actions will be taken against other officers that operate outside of the code of conduct and the law.”
Cameron congratulated Police Minister Senzo Mchunu for the implementation of the promises he made when he delivered the seventh administration’s priorities.
When asked about the dismissal, national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said: “This is an internal departmental matter. No comment will be provided at this stage.”
Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais said: “I can confirm that Major-General Tiyo has been retrenched. I do not wish to comment any further at this stage.”
Crime activist Michael Jacobs commented that the dismissal of Tiyo was welcome as it showed that police management was really serious in dealing with the issue of criminality and ill discipline within its ranks.
“However, there is still a long way to go before communities can fully trust the police and there needs to be consistency and urgency in how police deal with corrupt elements in the force.”
Another crimefighter, Lynn Phillips, welcomed Tiyo’s dismissal and said it was a warning that no one was above the law.
“We have seen that many law enforcement agents are of the opinion that they can do as they please instead of upholding the law.
“The fact that a serious violation of this nature has ended in the way the community hoped for is good, as it’s the most senior, very important and critical department within the SAPS.
“Its members are supposed to serve ethically and discreetly with situations in our country and not violate the human rights of a citizen, but that the processes need to be followed as outlined within the framework of the law.
“The message also gives a sense of the seriousness of gross violations with regards to asset security and how easily it was stolen through negligence along with information that is supposed to be critical for the state. This now builds the credibility of the police which many citizens have already lost.”
At the time of his dismissal, he faced both internal disciplinary proceedings and a criminal investigation.
Tiyo and his two co-accused, linked to the police’s crime intelligence unit in the province, face charges including kidnapping and assault.
Tiyo was also implicated in the murder of Charl Kinnear and he was under official investigation for corruption in his Crime Intelligence Unit when Kinnear made allegations against Tiyo in public.
Kinnear was later assassinated by a gunman at his Bishop Lavis home in September 2020.
While embroiled in that scandal, Tiyo and the Multi-Dimensional Organised Crime Team received an award for the Crime Intelligence division in February.