IPID register just under 200 alleged SAPS contravention cases in 2nd Quarter
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report for the 2nd quarter of the 2023/24 financial year shows that in the Western Cape, between July 2023 to September 2023, 196 cases were registered with the entity for investigation. Of the 1 276 cases countrywide, the Western Cape has the second highest behind Gauteng’s 210.
Amongst others, the 196 cases consist of:
- x146 assault,
- x22 discharging an official firearm,
- x15 death in police custody,
- x15 death as a result of police action and
- x5 rape by police officials.
Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen said: “The high number of cases is deeply worrying, and quite frankly a disgrace. It suggests that there is an unacceptable level of ill-discipline within the ranks of SAPS that requires urgent attention. It’s a complete travesty that the very service that should be protecting all of us, while upholding the law have allegedly made themselves guilty of committing crime. Deaths, rapes and any other crime committed by a SAPS officer will never be condoned. It is further alarming as the report at a national level also shows that IPID has a backlog of 12 489 cases, of which 2 217 are in this province. IPID should urgently address this.”
Nationally, IPID referred 458 cases to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for criminal prosecution. Of these, 87, the most in the country, are from the Western Cape. To date, the NPA has not determined whether any of the 87 cases will be prosecuted.
The 87 cases consist of:
- x72 assault,
- x8 death as a result of police action,
- x5 rape by a police officer and
- x2 torture.
MEC Reagen Allen continued: “I will be engaging IPID to establish:
- at which stations the officers who are accused of committing these crimes, are based,
- enquire how many of these have been referred for disciplinary hearings,
- obtain a report from the SAPS’ Provincial Police Commissioner(PC) if any of the referred matters have been finalised, and what the outcome was.
We have already stated in our Policing Needs and Priorities Plan that we will monitor the accuracy of reporting into disciplinary matters from the PC. We cannot have men and women in blue dragging the name of the service down, and further eroding the public’s trust in the SAPS. It’s enough that many residents have to deal with actual criminals, and do not need so-called officers of the law to conduct themselves in this manner. The guilty ones do not deserve the uniform.”
The report revealed further that nationally, there are currently 748 cases on the court roll, of which 202, the second highest in the country, behind Gauteng’s 203, are from the Western Cape.
“This once again shows why the devolution of SAPS to a capable provincial government is urgently and immediately required. Under our watch, we would ensure that members toe the line, and that they serve with dignity, professionalism and pride. Criminality from those who should be combatting illegalities will and should not be tolerated. Our residents should not be fearful of SAPS, and therefore it’s critical that we have a vibrant and committed SAPS that upholds and protects the law,” concluded MEC Reagen Allen.
Media Enquiries:
Marcellino Martin - Spokesperson for MEC Reagen Allen
Email: Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za
021 483 0103 (o)
082 721 3362 (m)
