Date: 12 August 2015
Time: 11h00
Venue: Plein Street outside Parliament, Cape Town
NATIONAL SAPS RESPONSE TO KHAYELITSHA COMMISSION REPORT AN ATTACK ON THE DIGNITY OF KHAYELITSHA RESIDENTS
On 25 August 2014 the Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry into Policing released its report aimed at improving safety and policing in Khayelitsha and South Africa. The Commission’s findings and 20 key recommendations followed the testimony of hundreds of people including residents and victims of crime from Khayelitsha and police who work at its three police stations, government officials, academics and civil society. The Commission processed over 50 000 pages of evidence. It humanized many members of the SAPS, showing the difficult conditions under which they work with highly unequal police resources in areas like Khayelitsha.
Since September 2014, the SJC and NU have 10 times tried to engage with the Minister of Police requesting a response to the Commission’s report. During this time we have seen positive developments at the local level within SAPS and a willingness to engage and work with communities to implement the Commission’s recommendations. But still there was no response from the Minister.
However, last week Premier Helen Zille released a response to the Commission’s report, signed by the National Commissioner. The response is an attack on the dignity and security of Khayelitsha residents. It is also an attack on the dignity of SAPS officers working in Khayelitsha and other poor and working class areas who continue to work under extremely difficult conditions with limited and inequitable resources.
On Wednesday, 12 August we will announce our programme of action and demands. The National Commissioner and the Minister of Police must be held accountable. The lives of people in Khayelitsha and communities across the country, are at stake.
[ENDS]
Members of the media are invited to attend the press conference tomorrow where our organisations will make a detailed statement and respond to questions.
For details on the press conference call:
Joel Bregman
072 769 0100
