Police Committee calls for urgent police probe
The Portfolio Committee on Police has approached the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to probe the reported incidents of police brutality and negligence in the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces respectively.
The Committee learnt with horror of two incidents that appear to bring the name of the South African Police Service into serious disrepute. The two incidents, one in Olievenhoutbosch (Gauteng) and the other one in Cape Town, are bound to have a negative effect on the credibility of the police.
The Committee is outraged that the alleged incident in Olivenhoutbosch happened in the presence of police officers who allegedly failed to assist because they were apparently waiting for a hostage negotiator. “It is extremely worrying that this incident was allowed to happen, especially taking into consideration the rampant crimes against women and children and government prioritising the fight against these crimes. We condemn this in the strongest possible terms,” said Ms Annelizé van Wyk, Chairperson of the Committee.
It has also come to the Committee’s attention that a video is circulating on social media of police using force to arrest a defenseless man in Cape Town. The video, which shows the police manhandling a man to the extent of undressing him and brutally kicking his private parts, goes against the ethos of dignity as envisioned by the Constitution. “While the Committee is against any form of crime and supports the arrest of criminals by police, this should be done within the constraints of the law. It is unacceptable that such force and attack on the dignity of an individual was used,” said Ms Van Wyk.
The Committee also calls on SAPS management to undertake a speedy investigation into both matters and ensure that the truth is uncovered. Implicated officers must face the full might of the law.
Enquiries:
Malatswa Evans Molepo
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 0732971914
Email: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
