IPID and SAHRC must investigate police brutality incident 

The growing trend of police brutality under President Jacob Zuma's ANC continues. Following the death of nine people in areas such as Mothotlung and Durban Deep in January allegedly at the hands of the South African Police Service (SAPS) officers, the DA is further horrified by the video released on social media sites revealing SAPS officers brutally beating a man up and stripping him of his dignity. The vicious attack allegedly took place yesterday. 

The video shows police officers tearing off the clothes of an unarmed man, leaving him naked and vulnerable in public. What was even more disturbing is that police aggressively manhandled, pushed, choked, punched and kicked him repeatedly. 

At this stage, information pertaining to what prompted this vicious attack on an unarmed person is unknown. But regardless, this assault was unwarranted, unacceptable and must be condemned. 

It is highly disturbing that police officers who are supposed to protect members of the public can behave in such a thuggish manner. 

The DA supports the Western Cape Government's decision to call for an Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigation. In addition, we will call for a South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) investigation. 

The DA has called for numerous actions to be undertaken to combat police brutality. We have called for a judicial commission of inquiry on more than one occasion. We have called for the demilitarisation of the SAPS. We have called for greater accountability measures. Yet, President Zuma's ANC government does nothing.

People living in South Africa are tired in living in fear of both criminals and a hand full of thuggish police officers. A vote for the DA on 7 May is a vote for a professional, demilitarised police service in which the public can trust. 

Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, March 7 2014

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