Questions arise over police dismissal as DA MP catches officer on duty

The DA’s MP Nicholas Gotsell has written to Acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia questioning why via a Parliamentary reply to question, it stated that a Constable stationed at Athlone Police Station was dismissed in December following disciplinary action but was found to be on duty last week.

Gotsell, NCOP Member on Security & Justice also took to his social media account on Facebook where he stood in front of the Athlone Police Station during an oversight visit, revealing that he had seen the officer, whose name is known to the Cape Argus, being on duty in the charge office.

According to the written reply for the Parliamentary question, it stated: “It should be noted that the specific member was dismissed from the saps on December 10 2025

In the letter shared with Cape Argus, Gotsell has given the Minister seven days to respond.

“However, during an oversight visit to Athlone Police Station on Friday, February 6, I personally found the Constable performing duties in the charge office. This was confirmed to me by a senior officer at the station, who further indicated that station management had no knowledge of any dismissal having been  effected. She did confirm that there is a “live” case against  the Constable, but that it has not been concluded.”

Gotsell added that it directly contradicted the information provided to Parliament.

Cape Argus has since reached out to Cachalia’s office for a response and await feedback.

Phaladi Shuping, communications for Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) said the dismissal of SAPS members is the responsibility of the SAPS. 

The provincial police communication office added it was awaiting a response before they could respond to queries made by the Cape Argus.

Last month, a viral video by Gotsell showed an armed police officer sleeping in a marked SAPS vehicle with flashing blue lights at a bus stop while his colleague shopped at Woolworths, prompting a disciplinary investigation.

Last month the Cape Argus reported that during a parliamentary question, Cachalia admitted the SAPS disciplinary system  was "broken" after he was questioned about the lenient one-month suspension without pay given to two officers caught with a stolen patrol car filled with drugs and alcohol.

In a parliamentary reply to Gotsell, Cachalia confirmed the officers were charged with misconduct. Following disciplinary processes, the first constable was dismissed for possession of narcotics, while the second constable received a one-month suspension without salary for the same charge.

Both received a one-month suspension without salary for possessing employer's property. Cachalia added that the provincial commissioner later varied the sanction of dismissal for the first officer and that the criminal matter was remanded for trial until March 2.

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Cape Argus