WC Police Oversight and Community Safety on IPID annual report

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate report for the 2021/22 financial year shows that between April 2021 to March 2022, in the Western Cape, 662 cases were referred to the entity for investigation. Of these, 215 (32.5%) were cases where steps were recommended.

 

Matters that requires action to be taken against SAPS members are:

11 Deaths as a result of police action at:

Khayelitsha, Lingelethu West, Elsies River, Mbekweni, Lentegeur, Philippi East, Piketberg, Kleinvlei, Hermanus, Nyanga and Philippi.

 

7 Death in police custody at:

Groot Brakriver, Heidelberg, Gansbaai, Swellendam, Macassar, Dysseldorp and Grabouw.

 

9 Rape cases by police officer at:

Oudtshoorn, Vredenburg, Mitchell’s Plain, Malmesbury, Wynberg, Nyanga, Mfuleni, Riebeeck West and Brackenfell police stations.

 

10 Counts of torture at:

Nyanga x2 and Kleinmond x2, then Rondebosch, Philippi, Steenberg, Langa, Manenberg and Ocean View with one each.

 

11 Discharge of an official firearm at:

Manenberg, Thembalethu, Hermanus, Villiersdorp, Khayelitsha, Bothasig, Wolseley and Fish Hoek

Western Cape Minister of police oversight and community safety Reagen Allen said that these statistics are horrific, a disgrace and an indictment on SAPS. It’s a complete travesty that the very service 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 can and will never be condoned. It’s enough that many residents have to deal with criminals. This is part of the reason why many residents have lost faith and trust in SAPS, as some members are seen to operate like criminals.”

Photo cred: Trendsmap

While the majority of the cases requires no further action, it is deeply concerning that 366 of these cases are assault matters. Relating to the 215 cases where steps should be taken against SAPS members, 160 are also assault matters. In addition, the assault investigations (common assault and Assault GBH) occurred at 70 different police stations in the province. Of the total 70 police stations, the top 10 assault stations accounted for 65 cases of assault.

The top 10 stations are:

1 – Nyanga

2 – Worcester

3 – Atlantis

4 – Kraaifontein

5 – Mitchelle’s Plain

6 – Wolsley

7 – Bishop lavis

8 – Kleinvlei

9 – Robertson

10 – Ceres

The SAPS initiated disciplinary action in 160 of the 215 cases. Of these, 129 have been finalised, 5 matters were still under investigation, 12 decisions to initiate hearings were still pending, and 14 disciplinary hearings were still in progress. Overall, the progress shows that the SAPS is acting on the IPID recommendations.

In giving effect to its legislative mandate, the Department of Community Safety should monitor and report on the implementation of Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s recommendations by the SAPS in the province.

“I urge the Provincial Police Commissioner, where matters have not been finalised, to swiftly deal with these members that have allegedly broken their oath of office. We cannot have individuals such as these in the SAPS, as this should be a fully-fledged and law-abiding professional service that only has the best interest of society at heart. SAPS must embark on a concerted effort to reverse the current situation,” continued Minister Reagen Allen.

Minister Reagen Allen added that criminality from those who should be combatting illegalities will and should not be tolerated.

“I’ll be visiting these stations and engage commanders to ascertain staff morale, but to also remind the men and women in blue of their responsibility to citizenry. We know that they work under immense strain but seeing these types of reports is inexcusable. Our residents should not be fearful of SAPS, and therefore it’s critical that we have a vibrant and committed SAPS that functions within the confines of the law,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.

 

By Danielle Mentoor