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The Tactical Operational Management Service (TOMS) team processed and detained suspects and booked 32 firearms during an operation on 7 August 2024.
“The TOMS team processed the suspects and detained them and booked all 32 firearms in the SAP 13. After midnight on 7 August 024”
General Lebeya inquired about the basis for arresting 17 suspects and seizing 32 firearms, and was informed about the firearms registry process and assessment needed.
“General Lebeya wanted to know the basis upon which TOMS arrested the 17 suspect and seized 32 firearms ... General Lebeya informed me that the firearms registry works 24 hours and I can contact them and check the 32 firearms seized if they are registered”
General Lebeya acknowledged the witness's explanation and agreed not to interfere with their work, instructing to proceed as planned with the TOMS team.
“General Lebeya acknowledged my explanation and said that he will not interfere with my work and that I should do as planned with my TOMS team”
General Mbotho instructed that the TOMS team operating on the scene must return to the police station and make statements, implying the original statements were incomplete and could affect court scheduling.
“General Mbotho said that the whole team of TOMS that operated on the scene must go back to the police station and make statements as the statements made when opening the case might be incomplete and the case may not be placed on the court roll on Monday 9 September 2024”
Colonel Gkekoane attempted to instruct the TOMS members on what to write and say in their statements under General Mbotho's instruction, but the witness refused and wrote a truthful attached statement.
“Colonel Gkekoane wanted to lead TOMS members on what to write and say in their statements, which he insisted was as per the instruction of General Mbotho. I refused and instructed members to write what really transpired and I also wrote a statement as attached here to”
Although the TOMS team expected suspects to appear in court and firearms to be sent for ballistic testing, nothing happened to the suspects nor were exhibits processed, and suspects were allegedly released with firearms returned for unknown reasons.
“I learned after a few days that nothing is expected to happen to the arrested suspects and seized exhibits. It is alleged that the suspects never went to court, but were released for unknown reasons and all firearms seized were returned back to the suspects”
After his appointment as Divisional Commissioner of DPCI, General Mbotho visited the TOMS office to introduce himself and started making threats to the unit, insisting members report every work-related movement and get approval for work outside Gauteng.
“General Mbotho, after his appointment as Divisional Commissioner of DPCI, visited the TOMS office to introduce himself and meet the team, but started making threats to the unit during the introduction. He insisted that all members must inform him of every work-related movement and that no member should conduct work outside Gauteng without his knowledge and approval”
General Mbotho further threatened members, promising to deal with them, and stated his dislike of the TOMS unit and intention to have it fall under General Flynn to keep it away from him.
“He was threatening members and promising to deal with them. He also indicated that he does not want, nor like the TOMS unit, and that he intends talking to the National Head that TOMS fall under General Flynn because he does not want TOMS near him”