police
10 March 2006
The MEC for Community Safety, Firoz Cachalia, said anger felt by the
community at the death of fourâyear-old Makgabo Matlala, granddaughter of
Transvaal Judge President Bernard Ngoepe, should not be directed at the police
but the criminals who committed the crime.
The MEC said this in the wake of the public outcry about the alleged
incompetence of the police in dealing with the case.
"The Provincial Commissioner informed us about this case the morning of the
attack. I have also received regular updates throughout the search and am
satisfied with how the police responded when the incident was reported to
them," said the MEC.
The MEC says he was alerted that several police units were activated
immediately after the crime was reported. These include the flying squad, the
dog unit, fingerprint, footprint, and forensic experts, and various detective
units.
However, the MEC said he could not comment on how the crime scene was
handled because is not his area of expertise and there was an official police
investigation underway.
The MEC also said that when he visited the family last night, they asked him
to convey their gratitude to the police for their efforts to find Makgabo.
During a press conference held by the family earlier today, the Judge Ngoepe
also urged communities not to direct their anger at the police but to work with
them to fight crime.
For more information contact:
Phumla Sekhonyane
Tel: (011) 689 3633
Cell: 082 909 3708
Issued by: Department of Community Safety, Gauteng Provincial
Government
10 March 2006
Source: SAPA
