Media Statement For Immediate Release Friday, 31 January 2014 North West Public Safety Committee to Summon Provincial IPID to Appear before it for Police Brutality Cases On Friday, 31 January 2014, the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Human Settlement, Public Safety and Liaison has resolved to serve summons to the Provincial Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for them to appear before the Committee after they failed to turn up for a meeting they were supposed to account for police brutality cases they are investigating in the province. The IPID management had been called to present a brief report at the case of Mr. Morgan Mohlala, a policing forum chairperson who was allegedly dragged for about 100 meters in a gravel road by a police officer in a police vehicle at Setlopo village; Warrant Officer De Klerk who allegedly shot and killed Mr. Thomas Morake at Potchefstroom who is alleged to have been involved in a case of house breaking and theft at Ikageng Township; the case of the late Mr. Tshepiso Nebe of Lomanyaneng village who was allegedly killed by police during a protest in the area and the case of the late Mr. Papiki Klienboy Mathews who died after being allegedly dragged by a police officer in a moving police vehicle in Klerksdorp. Section 14 of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, 2004 (Act No 24 of 2004) hereinafter referred to as “the Act” read with Section 115(a) of the Constitution , further read with the North West Provincial Legislature Rule 60(3) gives the Legislature powers to summon people to appear before the Legislature. Failure to attend the meeting by the people who have been summoned, is a criminal offence, punishable upon conviction by a fine and imprisonment as contemplated in Section 17 of the Act. The Committee Chairperson, Hon. Mahlakeng Mahlakeng said the Committee is disappointed and unhappy with the conduct of IPID management on how they deal with the Legislature. “We are very angry and disgusted by the treatment and utter disrespect the IPID has shown to this Committee. In our previous meeting regarding these cases, we sent them back because they presented a shoddy report with incorrect facts. “It is clear that the IPID has a challenge executing their responsibilities and they have a constitutional obligation to assist our people. These are the very same people that are supposed to deal the case of the 4 people that died during the water shortage protests in Motluthung,” said Hon. Mahlakeng. Ends Issued by: North West Provincial Legislature: Media & Communications Unit nwpl.gov.za/public/uploads/documents/public_safety_to_summon_ipid_03_February_2014.pdf
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 06:13:35 +0000