A local crime expert has mixed feelings about calls for a commission of inquiry to be established to scrutinize claims of a possible link between police and gangs in the Western Cape.
Premier Alan Winde has called on the Western Cape Police Ombudsman to determine whether these claims are credible.
The ombud’s office has confirmed it had received a complaint from Winde, and is still evaluating the request.
A recent Western Cape High Court judgement suggests that the 28s gang has access to the police’s sensitive operations and reports.
UCT criminologist Dr Simon Howell says previous commissions of inquiry haven’t resulted in any change.
“In this instance, the nature of the allegations is such that they need to be resolved,  there’s a need to be definitive results. Whereas if we’re a commission of inquiry it will take many months, cost lots of money and the results may not be definitive anyway. This is not the time and place for a commission of inquiry”