SAHRC CALLS FOR ACTION AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS IN RECENT BRUTALITY VIDEO.

The South African Human Rights Commission would like to express its shock at the new video of police brutality in Cape Town.

The horrifying video shows police officers assaulting, stripping and humiliating a man before dragging him on the pavement into the police van during an apparent arrest in Kensington, Cape Town.

This video, which was shot by a community member who witnessed the assault, has gone viral on the internet and social media.

The new video comes as the nation is still coming to terms with many similar incidents at the hands of the police. These includes the recent deaths of four protesters in Mothutlung, the images of Mido Macia being dragged behind the police van, and bodies of miners dropping to the ground when police bullets rained on them in Marikana, which are still fresh in the minds of many.

It is very concerning that these incidents of brutality continue to happen despite continuous condemnation from rights groups, and many reassurances from the police top management.

Few days ago the Commission held a meeting with the National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega, who assured the Commission that more was being done to train the police on how to deal with public arrests and protests.

The Commission believes that the issue of police brutality should be treated as a matter of national concern. The Commission is concerned about the excessive use of violence by the police during arrests and service delivery protests, and has consistently condemned the brutality meted out by the police during such events.

The Commission will again raise its concerns over this recent issue with Commissioner Phiyega.

We call on tough action to be taken against the police officers and security guards involved in this matter. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate should move with necessary speed to bring those responsible to book.

The Commission will launch its own initiative investigation into this matter.

Statement issued by Isaac Mangena, Head: Communications, South African Human Rights Commission, March 9 2014

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