The MEC for Community Safety and Police Oversight Reagen Allen says allegations of alleged SAPS contraventions, as contained in the latest IPID report, are deeply worrying.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report for the 2021/22 financial year shows that in the Western Cape, between April 2021 to March 2022, 662 cases were referred to the entity for investigation.

Of these, 215 (32.5%) were cases where steps were recommended.

Matters that require action to be taken against SAPS members are as follows:

• 11 Deaths as a result of police action at:

Khayelitsha, Lingelethu West, Elsies River, Mbekweni, Lentegeur, Philippi East, Piketberg, Kleinvlei, Hermanus, Nyanga and Philippi.

• 7 Deaths in police custody at:

Groot Brakriver, Heidelberg, Gansbaai, Swellendam, Macassar, Dysseldorp and Grabouw.

• 9 Rapes by police officers at:

Oudtshoorn, Vredenburg, Mitchell’s Plain, Malmesbury, Wynberg, Nyanga, Mfuleni, Riebeeck West and Brackenfell police stations.

• 10 Counts of torture at:

Nyanga x2 and Kleinmond x2, then Rondebosch, Philippi, Steenberg, Langa, Manenberg and Ocean View with one each.

• 11 Discharge of an official firearm at:

Manenberg, Thembalethu, Hermanus, Villiersdorp, Khayelitsha, Bothasig, Wolseley and Fish Hoek

Minister Reagen Allen has described the statistics as horrific.

It’s a complete travesty that the very service that should be protecting all of us, while upholding the law has allegedly made themselves guilty of committing a crime. Deaths, rapes and any other crime committed by a SAPS officer can and will never be condoned. It’s enough that many residents have to deal with criminals. This is partly why many residents have lost faith and trust in SAPS, as some members are seen to operate like criminals.

The SAPS initiated disciplinary action in 160 of the 215 cases.

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Of these, 129 (80.6%) have been finalised, 5 matters were still under investigation, 12 decisions to initiate hearings were still pending, and 14  disciplinary hearings were still in progress.

Allen has urged the Provincial Police Commissioner to finalise all outstanding matters.

We cannot have individuals such as these in the SAPS, as this should be a fully-fledged and law-abiding professional service that only has the best interest of society at heart. SAPS must embark on a concerted effort to reverse the current situation.

Members of the public can lodge complaints with IPID for the following:

• deaths in police custody
• deaths as a result of police actions
• any complaint relating to the discharge of an official firearm by any police officer
• rape by a police officer, whether the police officer is on or off duty
• rape of any person while in police custody
• any complaint of torture or assault against a police officer in the execution of duties.
• You must open a case at your nearest police station and only report to the IPID Office if the police fail to assist you.

Find out more about lodging a complaint or contact the Independent Police Investigative Directorate on 012 399 0000.