Mthethwa dodges another bullet
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has managed to dodge another bullet while Madibeng Mayor Poppy Magongoa, Chief Whip Solly Malete and Speaker Buti Makhongela have been suspended, and have subsequently resigned following the death of four protesters, allegedly at the hands of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
It is Nathi Mthethwa, in his capacity as the political head of the Department of Police, and not provincial and local office bearers, who should ultimately be held accountable for the conduct of SAPS officers.
Minister Mthethwa is clearly being protected by President Jacob Zuma, just as he in turn protects Jacob Zuma in cases such as Nkandlagate. Mthethwa manages to evade all accountability, has no vision or plans - he is in essence still an Empty Suit.
The time for Nathi Mthethwa to go is long overdue. Indeed, he should do the honourable thing and resign.
Under his watch police brutality has spiralled. During the 2012/13 financial year, 6 728 criminal cases against police officers were recorded, up from 4 923, a 37% increase, from the previous financial year.
Neither has Minister Mthethwa been held to account for other high profile cases of police brutality including:
The death of 34 people at the Marikana Massacre (2013);
The death of Emidio Macia, who was dragged behind a police van, tortured and subsequently died (2013); and
The death of Andries Tatane, who was shot in the chest by riot police in Free State (2011).
The above are sadly just the incidents of police brutality that have made it into the media - what about those that don't?
Even more concerning is that Minister Mthethwa has no clear plan on how to tackle the issue of police brutality, nor does he make any attempt to prioritise this issue.
Minister Mthethwa has also failed in various other avenues in his department including:
His appointment and continued support of National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega, who is clearly not suited for the position;
The credibility of crime statistics - once released the statistics are totally out of date. He then attempts to downplay increased levels of crime thus keeping the public ignorant of the danger they face;
Poor, unconstitutional legislation such as the SAPS Act (the Hawks Bill) and the xenophobic Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) Amendment Bill;
His failure to demilitarise SAPS as per the recommendation of the National Development Plan (NDP);
Cheap politicking such as his attempt to halt the Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry into policing; and
His abuse of the National Key Points Act of 1980 in attempt to bury information relating to the exorbitant expenditure of public funds for purposes not beneficial to the public.
South Africa deserves a Police Service that protects, and not one that terrorises. Minister Mthethwa has failed to deliver this. He must pack his bags and make space for someone who will.
Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, January 22 2014
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