A concerned resident in Diep River recently discovered police documentation, including what appeared to be dockets and charge sheets, being dumped in a wheelie bin. The resident shared a photograph of the documents with the Weekend Argus, which showed the name of the police station, along with the words "detectives," "dockets," and "Senior State Prosecutors (SSP) Decision." The image also revealed dates, including the year 2018.
The Diep River police station has confirmed that an internal inquiry was conducted, and the matter has been resolved. Detective Captain JW Engelbrecht, the station's detective commander, stated that the documents belonged to the police but were not dockets or charge sheets. According to Engelbrecht, the inquiry found no evidence that case dockets, charge sheets, or other documents containing pertinent case-related information were among the discarded papers.
The National Assembly's Portfolio Committee on Police has expressed concern over the procedure used to discard police documentation and the potential for sensitive information to be left in the public domain. Committee chairperson Ian Cameron stated that the committee will first have to analyze the documentation and request insight into the matter. The committee is concerned that improperly discarded police records could compromise personal information, evidence integrity, and public confidence.
MP Nicholas Gotsell, who serves on the committee, questioned the procedure used to discard the documentation and how it ended up inside a wheelie bin. Gotsell emphasized that SAPS must have strict procedures governing the storage, retention, and secure destruction of documents to prevent confidential information from ending up in the public domain. Ward councillor Kevin Southgate had requested that the documents be secured as evidence, but the person in possession of the documents had already left with the bins.
The incident was initially reported to BH Security, which called the police. A manager from BH Security confirmed that its staff was instructed not to arrest the individual in possession of the documents and to leave the matter in the hands of senior police staff. The manager stated that if the police give them an instruction to let people go, they have to follow that instruction because they are the police.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia's office initially stated that an investigation would take place. After the matter was escalated, Engelbrecht confirmed that the internal inquiry had been conducted, and the matter had been resolved. The Diep River police station remains committed to ensuring that official records are managed in accordance with applicable SAPS procedures and requirements.
The Portfolio Committee on Police is still awaiting verification from SAPS on the details of the incident, including whether the documents were recovered, what records were involved, and what investigation or remedial action followed. The committee will provide a verified update when one is available.
Key points
- Diep River police documentation was found dumped in a wheelie bin, prompting an investigation by the National Assembly's Portfolio Committee on Police.
- The committee is concerned that improperly discarded police records could compromise personal information, evidence integrity, and public confidence.
- SAPS procedures for discarding documentation are being questioned after the incident.
