The DA welcomes the statement by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, following an incident of alleged SAPS brutality at Durban’s Point area involving an officer and a member of the public.
In a video clip, which has since gone viral online, the police officer who is in full uniform is shown assaulting a member of the public, seemingly without being provoked.
The DA is alarmed by this latest incident and supports the Commissioner’s firm stand against police brutality along with his order of a full investigation to ensure public accountability.
The incident comes as police brutality remains a serious issue in our country amid broader systemic issues such as crime and corruption within law enforcement institutions.
The DA has and always will be vocal about holding law enforcement accountable for misconduct and advocating for police reforms. We have consistently called for stronger measures to ensure accountability for police officers involved in brutality or corruption. These include;
• Advocating for independent oversight mechanisms to investigate police violence and holding officers responsible for the abuse of power.
• A properly resourced and empowered Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) in order to investigate complaints of police misconduct and;
• Reforms aimed at improving the professionalism and effectiveness of SAPS which includes better training in de-escalation techniques, improved recruitment standards, and a focus on community policing to build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
We further support calls for justice from civil society groups, often advocating for changes to legislation to ensure victims of police brutality have legal recourse.
The DA will continue to push for stronger oversight, accountability, and reform within SAPS, with an emphasis on tackling police misconduct while balancing the need for effective law enforcement in a high-crime society.