Cop-gang link report expected to top provincial legislature debate on child murders

THE DA-led provincial government under the leadership of Premier Alan Winde is expected to face tough questions relating to his failure to release the Western Cape Police Ombudsman report sparked by fears that criminal gangs had captured parts of the police's top brass in the province.

- NICOLA DANIELS

Winde received the report in 2022 but has repeatedly refused to make it public, saying he wanted to protect SAPS and law enforcement officers and that the investigation was only about ascertaining what powers he had to deal with the issue. He also said that while the findings found that he could establish a commission of inquiry, he was advised against it because some of the matters would be sub judice.

In an oversight visit to the Ombudsman's office on Tuesday, members of the Police Oversight and Community Safety Committee were given an overview of the report's findings.