16 March 2006
The MEC for Community Safety in Gauteng, Firoz Cachalia, has expressed
concern about recent reports alleging police torture and brutality.
This comes after a 42-year-old Zimbabwean, Christopher Sibanda, alleged that
he was tortured for several hours in a building in Alexander by men who
identified themselves as police officers. There was a similar report about
police use of torture during a raid on a store in Turffontein in Johannesburg.
One of the Johannesburg daily newspapers also reported an incident in the West
Rand recently where the police called to assist in resolving a domestic dispute
allegedly assaulted the husband.
Cachalia said all these cases will be investigated and where torture is
found to have been used during the process of an investigation, the necessary
disciplinary action will be taken.
âMembers who conduct arbitrary policing, disregarding the rights of suspects
will be made to account for their actions," said Cachalia. He emphasised that
policing in a democracy requires that police should work to a service ethic,
which respects and promotes fundamental human rights.
Enquiries please contact
Phumla Sekhonyane
Tel (011) 689 3633
Cell: 082 909 3708
Issued by: Department of Community Safety, Gauteng Provincial
Government
16 March 2006
Machuene
