Between July and September last year, Western Cape police were implicated in 196 cases being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). These cases include assault and rape.

According to the Western Cape Government’s Police Oversight Department, the province has the second highest number of cases being probed by the police watchdog. MEC, Reagan Allen, referred to IPID’s second quarter report – in which, he says, majority of cases recorded are linked to assault.

“Amongst others, the 196 cases consist of: x146 assault, x22 discharging an official firearm, x15 death in police custody, x15 death as a result of police action and x5 rape by police officials.”

He added that 87 of the 458 cases handed over for criminal prosecution came from the Western Cape. Again, most of these cases are for assault (72) – followed by death as the result of police action (8), rape by a police officer (5) and torture (2).

“The high number of cases is deeply worrying, and quite frankly a disgrace. It suggests that there is an unacceptable level of ill-discipline within the ranks of SAPS that requires urgent attention. It’s a complete travesty that the very service that should be protecting all of us, while upholding the law have allegedly made themselves guilty of committing crime.”

Allen says he will be taking this further – by obtaining more information on the police members and where they’re based, as well as whether disciplinary action has or will be taking place.

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