IPID’s Len John alleges KZN police helped tow-truck operators linked to drug trade | Madlanga Commission

Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) deputy director in KwaZulu-Natal, Len John, testified at the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday.

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police officers allegedly took payments from tow-truck operators for business referrals and, in some cases, helped protect trucks suspected of transporting drugs, the Madlanga Commission heard on Wednesday.

IPID’s Deputy Director of Investigations in KwaZulu-Natal, Len John, told the commission that some South African Police Service (SAPS) members had established corrupt relationships with tow-truck owners.

“For years it has been clear that some SAPS members are connected to the towing industry and are paid corruptly to assist them. Tow-truck owners pay police officials for referrals of customers,” John said.

He said the alleged arrangement operated at crash scenes, where police officers would allegedly contact tow-truck companies whose operators paid them for referrals.