Popcru calls for immediate removal of Free State’s tormentor top cop!

Embattled Eastern Free State district police commander general Jan Tsotetsi has remaining days to defend allegations underpinned to him, or face expulsion.

This is a raucous warning from the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) in the province, as it calls for the immediate suspension of Tsotetsi.

Popcru, which serves as a trade union that represents police officers, traffic officers and correctional officers, says is deeply concerned over numerous allegations facing the embattled top cop in Thabo Mofutsanyana district.

“Popcru in the Free State province finds it disturbing that the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State province has taken favouritism to a whole new level, with the Eastern FS District Commander Jan Tsotetsi being protected by superiors,” said the union’s spokesperson in the province, Chakale Mahlatsi.

The now-defunct, Special Assignment an in-depth investigative programme, unearthed how the district commander of SAPS harrassed and threatened uniformed and non-uniformed staff under his management.

“Despite having reported on these concerns, there has never been any action taken; demonstrating the extent to which his actions had been either ignored or protected.

“POPCRU has on several occasions brought to the attention of SAPS management allegations of criminal activities by this commander, and since he remains a protected individual within SAPS, all those were never taken seriously,” Mahlatsi said.

Mahlatsi asserted that, despite their several engagements with management of SAPS, no action has been taken to probe the allegations.

“As a result of this inaction, many staff members have resigned, while others have been sexually abused, and with others’ working conditions deteriorating daily.

“We therefore demand the immediate suspension of major general Tsotetsi and the immediate reinstatement of all police officials who resigned due to the atmosphere that prevailed within SAPS Eastern Free State during this dark era,” alluded Mahlatsi.