Police Committee welcomes release of the Marikana Report
The Portfolio Committee on Police welcomes President Zuma’s release of the long-awaited report into the tragic incident that occurred in Marikana in August 2012.
The Chairperson of the Committee Mr Francois Beukman said the Committee would have to study the report thoroughly in order to follow up on technical and operational recommendations such as the need to improve public order policing and the required controls and command protocols.
Efforts to improve Public order policing, demilitarisation and proffesionalisation of the police service have been priorities of the Portfolio Committee on Police since taking office in the beginning of the 5th Parliamentin 2014.
“The recommendation by the Commission of an expert panel with international and local role players to advise on public order policing is fully supported by the Portfolio Committee,” Beukman said.
The Committee has highlighted the need to ensure the urgent implementation of recommendations the report made in relation to the conduct of members of the SAPS. It also takes note of the processes to follow geared towards improving the manner policing is conducted in the country.
On the matter involving concerns over Police leadership and its decision making, Committee Chairperson Mr Francois Beukman, says the importance of having credible and effective police leadership cannot be overemphasised.
The Committee will in this regard await the outcomes of the processes announced by the President.
Mr Beukman added that the Committee will, between July and August 2015, call the Minister of Police to table plans on how he intends to monitor the implementation of the recommendations the Commission made with regard to the South African Police Service.
The Committee empathises with all family members whose relatives perished in August 2012 during the Marikana massacre. “We understand that we can never replace the lives lost on that day, we can only make sure that incidents such as these never happen again by putting preventative measures in place,” said Mr Beukman.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Mr Temba Gubula
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8307
Cell: 078 735 8809
Email: tgubula@parliament.gov.za
