In Gauteng, only 5 out of 147

Image:Twitter@HannsSeidelSA

In Gauteng, only 5 out of 147 cases of police brutality resolved in five years

The DA in Gauteng said they are ‘deeply disappointed’ over the slow pace and wants IPID and the police minister to ‘speed-up’ the process.

In Gauteng, only 5 out of 147

Image:Twitter@HannsSeidelSA

The DA in Gauteng has called on the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety to engage both the Minister of Police Bheki Cele and the head of Independent Police Investigative Directorate IPID, Jennifer Ntlatseng, to explain why there have been such long delays in resolving these police brutality cases.

The call comes after the MEC Faith Mazibuko offered a written reply in response to a question from the DA tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), explaining that only 5 out of 147 cases has been resolved in the past five years.

Mazibuko outlined that the 147 cases have been opened against Gauteng SAPS members in the last five years – from the 2016/2017 financial year to the 2020/2021 financial year:

  • 117 cases of common assault and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
  • 16 deaths in police custody.
  • 10 death cases as a result of police actions
  • 3 cases of rape
  • One person raped in police custody.

Unacceptable delay

“Justice delayed is justice denied for the victims and their families, and it is high time that the IPID speeds up the investigations in these pending cases,” the DA in Gauteng said.

Mazibuko said all 147 cases have been reported to IPID, and of these, only five have been resolved.

“It is worrying that people continue to suffer and die in the hands of the police yet there is a delay in ensuring justice for the victims and their families.”

The DA said that this “clearly shows that some of the SAPS members in this province are failing to abide by the SAPS code of conduct and that they are failing to respect the rights of people” while they are conducting their duties.