Mthethwa must suspend Marikana cops

All police officers involved in the Marikana Massacre must be suspended pending the outcome of the Farlam Commission. 

According to the City Press, police officers who shot and killed striking mine workers at Marikana were part of the core team deployed to Mothutlung in North West, where three people died, allegedly at the hands of the police (see here). 

Police officers accused of allegedly brutally gunning down 34 protestors at Marikana should be suspended and not be allowed free access to ammunition until the final outcome of the Commission.

The DA will write to Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa requesting that he suspend all police officers involved in the massacre. 

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has a long history of not suspending police officers convicted of crimes against those they are meant to protect. It is problematic that internal disciplinary processes often take years, during which period SAPS members are still on duty and fully armed while facing prima facie cases in court.

Last year it was revealed that 1 448 SAPS members were convicted criminals for offences ranging from murder and attempted murder to rape, assault, corruption, theft and domestic violence. Not one of them has been suspended or dismissed from the SAPS. 

The SAPS's core mandate is to serve and protect members of the public. If police officers are under investigation for breaching this mandate, they must be suspended until cleared of any wrongdoing. If they are convicted they must be dismissed with immediate effect.

Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, January 19 2014

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