Nearly 200 cases of police transgressions probed by IPID

One hundred and ninety-six cases were probed by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for the 2nd quarter of the 2023/24 financial year (between July - September 2023) in the Western Cape. 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 Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Reagen Allen said the high number of cases is deeply worrying, even describing it as 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.”

Allen added that 87 of 458 cases nationally were handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for criminal prosecution.

Of the 87 cases, 72 were assault, 8 death as a result of police action, 5 cases of alleged rape by a police officer and 2 cases of torture.

The MEC said he will engaged with IPID to find out more information, such as where the officers were based, how many were referred for disciplinary hearings and if any of the cases were finalised.

‘’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.”

ARCHIVE: MEC Allen at Bush Radio

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.

Allen once again called for the devolution of police.

“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,” said Reagen Allen, Western Cape Police Oversight & Community Safety MEC.

 

Done By: Mitchum George