The people of South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal in particular, deserve a high degree of service from the police. They deserve to be policed in a manner that respects and upholds their dignity and respects their constitutionally guaranteed rights.
We are here today to commiserate with the families of the victims and to reassure them that their loved ones did not die in vain. That the suspects who were arrested by IPID and are currently going to court as the accused, will have to account for their criminal actions. Without prejudging the matter, we believe that there is strong evidence to ensure the successful prosecution and conviction of the accused.
Both events that brought us here today are quite tragic. In the one instance, the victim was tortured and died while being interrogated. Three policemen were arrested by the IPID’s investigators the case is postponed to 12 July 2012 for High Court date. They are currently suspended from service without salary. In the other matter, a policeman allegedly raped his own daughter and then murdered her.
The policeman is on trial for the rape and murder. The accused was denied bail and he is currently in custody. The matter has been postponed to 28 July 2012 for the DNA results. The IPID is committed to seeing these matters through and ensuring that the accused get the punishment they deserve.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is concerned about the cases it has had to investigate in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Some of these cases have been accompanied by high degrees of violence. A case in point is an incident in which a man was assaulted and a broomstick force up his anus by police officers. Fortunately, an arrest was made by the IPID last Thursday and Friday. I want to commend the investigators for the swift investigation and arrest of the six suspects. Such brutality by police officers cannot be tolerated.
The criminal actions of the individuals implicated in the matters that I referred to, erodes the confidence of the public in the police. This should not be the case as there are many police officers who cooperate with the IPID and are committed to serving the public. The Honourable Minister of Police, Mr E N Mthethwa, has on many occasions said that the police must fight crime but respect the human rights of all. We strongly support the call made by the Honourable Minister.
There are many other investigations currently taking place which will lead to the arrest of suspects for various offences. The team that we have under the leadership of Ms Baatseba Motlhale is committed to ensuring that the investigations lead to the prosecution of suspects in cases where the police acted unlawfully.
I know that you are aware of the IPID’s investigations into matters involving the Cato Manor Organised Crime Unit. The task team that I appointed in December 2011 has been working around the clock to ensure that where people were killed unjustly, the perpetrators are brought to book. This investigation is the biggest that the IPID and the ICD before it have undertaken.
We are pleased with the progress made by the task team and I want to thank the members of that task team for their personal sacrifices to ensure that the investigations are concluded. It is no secret that more arrests and charges will be added to the current 71 that the accused are facing. Once the full extent of the alleged atrocities committed by the policemen come out, as South Africans we should do everything that such atrocities are never committed in our name.
As the IPID, we are in it for the long haul. We will do whatever it takes to ensure that the police do their work in a manner that respects the laws of the country and honours the memories of the many heroes who gave up their lives for a democratic South Africa and the principles contained in our constitution.
As members of the public and civil society, we deserve policing that is underpinned by a respect for human rights. We should not accept anything less.
For enquiries:
Moses Dlamini
Cell: 082 809 1927
E-mail: mdlamini@icd.gov.za
Remarks by Executive Director for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Mr Francois Beukman on a visit to families of victims of police criminality in Kwazulu-Natal
