Another attack on KZN civilians by SAPS members: Zero Accountability
South of Durban today resembles the Wild West, with SAPS members acting with cast-iron impunity, and it appears their superiors are doing nothing to curb the abuse.
In the fourth such case reported to me in the past few months, a gang of armed police have invaded a private complex in eManzimtoti, pointed firearms, threatened to shoot residents, assaulted them, and attempted to cut through security chains. On attempting to open a case at Central Durban, the complainants were told the matter would be sent back to the eManzimtoti station so that the police could, basically, investigate themselves.
There have been three other high profile cases down the south coast:
Umkomaas police officers who shot at a woman's car, leading to her death, allegedly tried to cover up the fact that they had opened fire on her. Leanne Douglas died when her car overturned on the N2 as police pursued. The car was riddled with bullet holes, and it seems clear that these officers have complete disregard of the law. While a docket of murder and defeating the ends of justice has been opened no arrests have been made and the policemen are still on duty.
Another gang of seven police, in full uniform, stormed a workshop in five marked police vehicles and a tow truck and forcibly removing a vehicle belonging to eManzimtoti policeman, Warrant Officer S'bu Boya. The vehicle was taken from the shop floor, allegedly without the bill for the repairs being settled. Four of them are out on bail awaiting trial, but having paid a tiny R350 fine each to the SAPS, are back on duty.
Just before New Year's Eve, DA Councillor Andre Beetge, while doing his duty as a ward Councillor in eManzimtoti, had a firearm pointed in his face, was threatened with death, with incarceration, sworn at, and head butted in the face - all by a senior SAPS officer... Although a case was opened and the matter also reported to the IPID, there has been no feedback whatsoever. The officer concerned is still on duty.
The goings-on at the eManzimtoti SAPS Station are of particular concern. Over 20 senior members have resigned from that station within the past 18 months. The reasons behind this mass-exodus must be revealed, and urgent steps must be taken to prove to civilians that their safety is the prime concern for the SAPS. Today our hugely expensive SAPS appear to have moved back to the days when they acted without consequences, taking what they wanted, and abusing or shooting anyone who stood in their way.
I am writing today to the Provincial Police Commissioner asking her to intervene, and to explain just what it is she is doing to bring discipline back to the SAPS in KZN in the face of such rampant abuse of power on their part.
Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard, MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police and Vice Chairperson KwaZulu-Natal South Durban Constituency MP, January 21 2014
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
