MEC Albert Fritz calls on SAPS to act within the law
7 May 2020
The Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, calls on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to act within the law at all times. Minister Fritz has condemned incidents where SAPS and SANDF officials abused their power and used excessive force when it was not necessary or requited to enforce the law.
During yesterday’s Ad-hoc committee on COVID-19, IPID’s Western Cape office presented figures on its number of cases to the provincial legislature. Of its 163 cases, 83 were directly linked to lockdown operations. Complaints include the discharge of a firearm, rape and assault.
Minister Fritz said, “There have been numerous reports of SAPS acting heavy-handedly during the lockdown. I will be meeting with the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General YolisaMatakata, and will urgently raise the matter of SAPS acting heavy-handedly towards residents. Brutality and heavy-handedness will not be tolerated and will be investigated by the relevant authority.”
Residents are asked to report any complaints of policing inefficiency to the Western Cape Police Ombudsman. Additionally, cases of police and military brutality should be reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) or to Military Ombudsman respectively.