SAPS commissioners could face jail for contempt of court …

The South African Police Service (SAPS) National Commissioner Sehlahle Fannie Masemola and Eastern Cape Commissioner Nomthetheleli Lillian Mene may have to talk their way out of jail tomorrow (Thursday 14 December). In what could be a landmark case, they have been summonsed to appear in court to explain the failure to implement a ruling handed down last year to prevent violence and intimidation against long-distance coach passengers. In this interview with BizNews, Intercape Executive Chairman Johann Ferreira explains why the legal route has been resorted to: “ apart from just talking about it and moaning about it and threatening about it, we decided to embark upon a strategy to prove, not only to ourselves but to South Africa, whether South Africa is a failed state, whether the Eastern Cape is a failed state - and we're using the proper process, the court process, to highlight whether our judiciary system can hold its own against the onslaught of this lawlessness in the country.” Ferreira recalls how he had “forewarned” President Cyril Ramaphosa, Police Minister Bheki Cele, and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula two years ago. “I said, you're going to have the blood on your hands if you don't act. They chose, willfully, knowingly, chose not to protect their constituents. In specifically the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape and other provinces, they have used the man in the street that relies on public transport to be cannon fodder for the taxi operators. Now, why would a president and the Minister of Police and the Minister of Transport fight against the protection of the common man in the street?” - Chris Steyn