Mzwandile Tiyo, the head of crime intelligence in the Western Cape, is facing both internal disciplinary proceedings and a criminal investigation. The allegations against him involve tracing, assaulting, and kidnapping suspects who reportedly stole a laptop and a firearm from his car.

Tiyo and his two co-accused - who were also associated with the police's crime intelligence unit in the Western Cape - face charges including kidnapping and assault. According to Ian Cameron, the anti-crime activist and a member of the DA, the charges are related to an incident at a tavern in Mbekweni at the end of last year when Tiyo's service pistol and laptop were allegedly stolen from his vehicle.

According to Cameron, Tiyo never reported the theft to the police."It is alleged that he used his position and state resources to track down, kidnap, assault, and accuse the 'suspects' of stealing the firearm and laptop from his vehicle," Cameron said in a Facebook post this week.

Tiyo is infamous for his alleged implication in the murder of Charl Kinnear - he was under official investigation for corruption in his crime intelligence unit when Kinnear made allegations against Tiyo in public, and shortly afterwards was assassinated by gang members with police connections.

SAPS has been in an apparent systemic collusion with the Cape gangs since the 2011 deal with Jacob Zuma, which saw previously declining homicide trends in the province skyrocket to the highest in the country.

Tiyo has been served with a letter of intent to suspend him pending a disciplinary hearing. He has until December 22 to provide reasons for not being suspended. The allegations include accusations that he used crime intelligence resources to track down the suspects without opening a formal theft case.

According to sources within the security cluster, Tiyo, along with two other provincial crime intelligence officials, orchestrated a covert operation to recover the stolen items. This operation allegedly involved the use of a device grabber and led to the recovery of the laptop and firearm.

One source claimed that Tiyo did not open a theft case but instead used police resources to recover the items. The source also alleged that Tiyo threatened and enlisted the help of known gangsters to intimidate the thieves.

The investigation is said to be at an advanced stage, with statements obtained from several individuals, including one of the assaulted victims. The case is drawing parallels to a previous scandal involving the hunting down and assault of criminals without formal criminal cases being opened.

Tiyo's lawyer has denied the allegations, stating that his client will vigorously fight the charges. The impending suspension of Tiyo comes amid increasing tensions within crime intelligence, with allegations of some members being linked to drug-dealing syndicates.

The situation has raised questions about consistency in disciplinary actions within crime intelligence, particularly in comparison to past incidents involving other officials. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe declined to comment on the matter.

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