Minister Cele must take responsibility for 32% increase in police abuses
8 May 2020
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will table a motion of public importance for Parliament to debate the urgent need to demilitarise the police in South Africa. The White Paper on Policing and the National Development Plan (NDP) are clear on the need to demilitarise the South African Police Service (SAPS) but the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, continues to ignore this urgent need.
Minister Cele must take full responsibility for the escalation in police abuses during the lockdown period.
During a presentation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police this morning, it was revealed that 32% more cases of police abuse were reported in the past two months than during the same period last year.
That is 200 more complaints ranging from death as a result of police action and discharge of official firearms; to assault and corruption. 50 people have died allegedly as a result of police action and in police custody between the 26 March and 05 May 2020. This follows repeated appeals by the President to not use excessive force when enforcing the lockdown.