The recent report by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) into police brutality paints a shocking picture that goes to the core of law enforcement in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Public confidence in the police in KZN has been dealt another blow by the findings of the IPID report which reveals that there were 48 deaths as a result of police action, 17 people have died while in police custody, 13 cases of rape involving police officers and numerous cases of corruption. These statistics relate only to cases being investigated by IPID while there must be numerous cases that go unreported and therefore not investigated by IPID. There are communities that are living in fear because they cannot turn to the police for protection,” said IFP Member of the Community Safety & Liaison Portfolio Committee, Hon Blessed Gwala MPL.
“People who are paid by tax payer’s money to protect and serve our people, have now become the perpetrators of crime. It is scandalous that a rape victim who has just had a traumatic experience and goes to the police only to be raped by those who are supposed to offer protection and ensure that justice is done”, continued Mr Gwala.
“We condemn these criminal acts that are being committed by police officers in the line of duty and lay the blame squarely at the door of the Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni and her management for failing to supervise those under their command. We understand that the police often work under difficult conditions and without appropriate resources, but we cannot condone such criminal behaviour among some police officers. MEC Willies Mchunu needs to step in and instill a sense of discipline and decorum that will restore public confidence in the police in KZN. Without public confidence and community co-operation, law enforcement will crumble and anarchy will prevail and this is not something that we can afford”, concluded Hon Gwala.
