THE Western Cape recorded the highest number of assault complaints at the hands of the police, at more than 700 cases.
This was revealed in annual report of the police watchdog, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), for the 2020/2021 financial year this week.
The report showed that the directorate had received 5 295 cases over a year, a decrease from the previous cycle, of which the majority was
in Gauteng (984) and the Western Cape (963).
The Western Cape, however, led the figures in terms of the high number of assault complaints, with 785 of the 3 407 cases that landed on Ipid’s radar.
The province has seen a number of complaints of assault levelled against officers recently, including an incident where a viral video showing Fish Hoek resident Joel Richard Gaffley being beaten by two police officers in August.
A police officer can be seen assaulting Gaffley with a baton, while another is pinning him to the ground.
It is understood the incident took place after Gaffley allegedly called the police to report his girlfriend as missing and, when they allegedly refused to help him, an argument broke out.
The officers ended up opening a case of assault against Gaffley, while he in turn opened a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) against them.
In a separate incident, a Langa family accused police officers of assault and damaging their home after a raid.
Police said they were investigating cases of malicious damage to property and assault after police officers allegedly stormed into the house of Anele Nomandla, pinned her against a wall, pointed a firearm at her 25-year-old son and kicked her nephew in the ribs in August.
While complaints of deaths in police custody and those as a result of police action recorded a decrease of 17% and 7% respectively in the province, allegations of rape increased by 24% nationally.
KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of rape cases at 20, while the Western Cape and Gauteng each recorded 18 complaints.
Western Cape MEC for Community Safety and Police oversight Reagen Allen said Ipid recommended that steps be taken in 215 of the cases reported in the province.
“Pertaining to the 215 cases where steps should be taken against SAPS members, 160 are assault matters. Further to this, the assault investigations (assault common and assault GBH) occurred at 70 different police stations in the province.
“Of the 70 police stations, the top 10 stations accounted for 65 cases of assault,” he said.
The top 10 stations for police-related crimes are Nyanga, Worcester, Atlantis, Kraaifontein, Mitchells Plain, Wolseley, Bishop Lavis, Kleinvlei, Robertson and Ceres.
“These statistics are horrific, a disgrace and an indictment on SAPS.
“It’s a complete travesty that the very service that should be protecting all of us, while upholding the law, has allegedly made itself guilty of committing crime.
“Deaths, rapes and any other crime committed by a SAPS officer can and will never be condoned. It’s enough that many residents have to deal with criminals. This is part of the reason why many residents have lost faith and trust in SAPS, as some members are seen to operate like criminals,” he added.
Crime expert Albert van Zyl said even though statistics were painting a poor picture, they also had a positive side.
“While reports of police crimes are on the increase, it also is testament that Ipid is doing their work.
“A lot of these cases do not go unattended.”