The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, has condemned the alleged rape of a suspected shoplifter by a police constable based in Nyanga, Western Cape, and have called for the prosecution of the alleged rapist. The chairperson has in the meantime welcomed the arrest of the suspect.
“The relationship between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the community at large is harmed by such abuses of power by some rotten elements within SAPS. We therefore believe that the suspect must be prosecuted to set an example to other police officers inclined to perpetrate such heinous acts,” Ms Joemat-Pettersson said.
The Chairperson welcomes the constable’s speedy suspension, which will enable a thorough internal disciplinary process. “While we don’t want to influence the internal process in any way, the committee has since its inception spoken strongly against the abuse of power and authority by the very people that are supposed to enforce the law. The police members are not the law. They must enforce the law and are also subject to the law. We maintain that the SAPS must do all it can to rid the service of such criminals in order to regain the credibility of the service,” Ms Joemat-Pettersson concluded.
The committee will continue to focus its oversight on the maintenance of discipline within the SAPS.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairpersons, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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