Onside cops offside says DA

The actions and wrongful arrest of Edward Wenger, a DA supporter in Midvaal this weekend, seem to indicate that members of the SAPS are not playing an impartial role in the electoral process. A 73 year old DA supporter who suspected electoral fraud on the part of the ANC, due to the arrival of a busload of ANC supporters, allegedly from outside the municipal area, at a registration station in Midvaal, was assaulted by an ANC member when he took photographs with his cell phone.

When SAPS members arrived, Mr. Wenger was arrested and placed in a police vehicle which took him to the Meyerton Police Station.  The ANC member who had assaulted him was allowed to drive to the police station in her own car. The SAPS are now denying  that  they arrested Mr. Wenger, which is unlikely to be the case.  If Mr. Wenger had not been arrested, why was he placed in a police vehicle and not allowed to drive himself  to the police station just like the ANC member?

I call on the Provincial Commissioner, Lt. General Petros, to immediately suspend the SAPS members involved and conduct an urgent internal investigation.  Members of our police service cannot afford to be seen as being partial to one political party.  I will also be laying a complaint with the Internal Complaints Directorate. Police neutrality is crucial to underpin a free and fair electoral process.  If it is absent, that process may be in doubt.

Statement issued by Kate Lorimer DA MPL, DA Spokesperson Safety & Security Gauteng, March 7 2011

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