IT PAINS me to hear our most senior police officer, Khomotso Phahlane, (and his spokesman) say newly appointed Mpumalanga police commissioner Mondli Zuma (pictured) does not have a criminal conviction because he went to court and received a fine.
It pains me because our most senior policeman does not understand the criminal justice system of which he forms an integral and critical part.
Payment of an admission of guilt fine for any offence other than a traffic offence results in a criminal conviction and criminal record (unless expunged after 10 years).
Either our acting national police commissioner is phenomenally ignorant or we are getting the most incredible Goebbelesque spin from the police.
The former is more likely than the latter because his argument follows the same thought process as that of suspended national commissioner Riah Phiyega, who protests that she was not advised of criminal charges laid against her and that her rights have been infringed. There is no obligation on a police investigative unit to tell a suspect they are under investigation. It is often more appropriate not to tell the suspect to prevent the suppression of evidence. She has displayed a similar and spectacular ignorance of the criminal justice system.
In terms of the Firearms Control Act the negligent loss of a firearm is punishable by a period of imprisonment for up to five years. It is thus a serious offence.
Lt-Gen Zuma not only seems to have escaped very lightly, but no questions seem to have been asked about the fact that he has ultimate authority over tens of thousands of police firearms in Mpumalanga, yet has a criminal conviction involving firearms.
Martin Hood
Via e-mail
Mondli Zuma. Picture: THE TIMES/JACKIE CLAUSEN
IT PAINS me to hear our most senior police officer, Khomotso Phahlane, (and his spokesman) say newly appointed Mpumalanga police commissioner Mondli Zuma (pictured) does not have a criminal conviction because he went to court and received a fine.
It pains me because our most senior policeman does not understand the criminal justice system of which he forms an integral and critical part.
Payment of an admission of guilt fine for any offence other than a traffic offence results in a criminal conviction and criminal record (unless expunged after 10 years).
Either our acting national police commissioner is phenomenally ignorant or we are getting the most incredible Goebbelesque spin from the police.
The former is more likely than the latter because his argument follows the same thought process as that of suspended national commissioner Riah Phiyega, who protests that she was not advised of criminal charges laid against her and that her rights have been infringed. There is no obligation on a police investigative unit to tell a suspect they are under investigation. It is often more appropriate not to tell the suspect to prevent the suppression of evidence. She has displayed a similar and spectacular ignorance of the criminal justice system.
In terms of the Firearms Control Act the negligent loss of a firearm is punishable by a period of imprisonment for up to five years. It is thus a serious offence.
Lt-Gen Zuma not only seems to have escaped very lightly, but no questions seem to have been asked about the fact that he has ultimate authority over tens of thousands of police firearms in Mpumalanga, yet has a criminal conviction involving firearms.
Martin Hood
Via e-mail
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