IPID's Executive Director, Francois Beukman met with members of the Thembalethu community to listen to their challenges in regard to policing in their area.
Beukman was accompanied by a delegation from the IPID national office in Pretoria which included national spokesperson, Moses Dlamini and acting provincial head, Bongiwe Tukela from Cape Town. The acting George Cluster Commander, Brig Phindelwa Mavakala, Deputy Mayor of George, Daniël Maritz and various station commanders from the Southern Cape attended the meeting at the Imizamo Yethu High School hall.
Beukman announced that IPID will be opening a satellite office in George within the next few months.
He told the George Herald that since April this year IPID, formerly known as the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD), has a new mandate and explained that their aim is to ensure independent oversight of the South African Police and the Municipal Police Services. IPID conducts independent and impartial investigations of identified criminal offences allegedly committed by members of the SAPS and the MPS, and makes appropriate recommendations.
The mandate of IPID is to ensure that independent and proper investigations of deaths in police custody and deaths as a result of police action are carried out effectively and efficiently. Other serious offences that IPID would investigate include shooting incidents, corruption, systemic corruption, assault, rape, murder and attempted murder.
ANC Chief Whip, councillor Charlie Williams was first to hand in a written complaint against the station commander of the Thembalethu Police, Col M Hardy.
Williams and other residents are still angered about the way Hardy handled the protest about municipal service delivery by a group of Thembalethans, in October last year. The protest turned violent leading to damaged properties, stone-throwing and the burning of tyres in the main street of Thembalethu. Residents allege police acted on instruction of Hardy when they used stun grenades, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
One lady also complained about the police's investigation into a matter of a missing baby in April this year. She told the IPID that when the mother went to report her baby missing, she was arrested and allegedly assaulted by a policewoman on instruction of Hardy.
Dlamini explained to residents they could lodge their complaints with IPID investigators at the back of the hall. He said the allegations will be investigated and feedback would be given to the community.
The IPID heard that crimes committed by youngsters who are released from jail shortly after being arrested, are rife. Residents also complained about the police's reaction time, that not enough patrols are being done and stated that because of this, some residents take the law into their own hands. It was even mentioned that some residents are hesitant to report incidents of crime to the police. They claimed they do not trust the police due to the fact that they are identified when asked who complained.
Ruthven Janse van Rensburg from the Public Protectors' office in Cape Town also spoke to community members about their basic humans rights and urged them to know how to access those rights.
"Everyone is entitled to efficient government services. If something goes wrong, if there is a long delay in the provision of services to you, you can approach the Public Protector who will investigate, report and ensure a solution to the problem is found," said Janse van Rensburg.
The Public Protector has a regional office here in George, situated at the corner of Cathedral and Cradock Streets, where any complaints of government services or conduct can be lodged.
From left: National spokesperson of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), Mr Moses Dlamini, Brig. P Mavakal, Col. M Hardy, Deputy Mayor Daniël Maritz and acting provincial head of IPID, Ms Bongiwe Tukela.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: LIZETTE DA SILVA, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
