Government continues to fail the Macia family

The DA has been informed by the family of Emidio Macia, who was killed after being dragged off behind a police van, that despite repeated promises of assistance by the government, they have received nothing.

I will be writing to both the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, and the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, to ask whether their claims that they would help the family were simply a publicity stunt.

In February this year, the country was rocked by the brutal death of Emidio Macia at the hands of the police. The country watched as three police officers tied Mr Macia to the back of a police van. He was then dragged at high speed down the road in full view of the public. He was later taken to a police station where he was allegedly beaten to death.

Both the Gauteng provincial government and the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, reportedly promised financial support to Mr Macia's three year old son, his wife and his parents. The only support which the family received was a food parcel a day before Macia's funeral.

I have spoken to Mr Macia's brother, Mr Carlos Mthimkhulu, and he has said that Mr Macia's son, Sassargio, and wife, Jaquilline, have received no support from either the South African or Mozambican government.

Emidio Macia died because of police brutality and the government must take full responsibility. If this was just some cheap publicity stunt, then they must be honest with the Macia family.

Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, May 12 2013

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