What more do you need to say about the SAPS than a report is required
into the number of officers accused and convicted of rape? Considering
there are officers with homicide cases against them still employed, I wish the
civil servant in Community Safety the best of luck in getting anywhere with his
requests.
press release
Reports that two police officers in
Nelspoort are amongst those accused of rape, statutory rape and sexual
exploitation of four minors is most concerning and warrants serious attention.
This matter will top the agenda of my meeting with the Provincial Police
Commissioner on Monday.
The police are entrusted with
protecting the inhabitants of South Africa and with upholding and enforcing the
law. Whilst the majority of police officers are law abiding and are at the
forefront of the fight against crime, we simply cannot tolerate a scenario in
which certain South African Police Service (SAPS) officers are perpetrators of
grievous crimes themselves.
In terms of my oversight role over the
police, this matter will top the agenda at my next meeting with the Provincial
Police Commissioner, General Lamoer, on Monday. I will be requesting that the
investigation into this matter is properly conducted, considering that police
will be investigating the police, and that the full might of the law falls on
these individuals should they be found guilty.
I will also request from the SAPS a
full report into:
- the number of SAPS officers accused of rape in the Western Cape in
the last year
- the number of officers that have been convicted of rape in the last
year
- the number of these officers that are now behind bars
- what measures have been taken to ensure that police stations are
not sources of crime themselves, and
- what measures are being taken to ensure that vulnerable minors and
victims of crime are protected when they seek help from the police.
The police service is entrusted with
powers to protect South Africans. We cannot allow these powers to be abused for
crimes and destructive behaviour. Strong action is needed and the SAPS must be
accountable to the citizens of the Western Cape.
Issued by: Western Cape Community
Safety
