Pretoria –An internal police investigation into the deaths of four people during the public protest in Mothutlung, in the North West, has found that police members deployed to the protest did not comply with the operational prescripts as they relate to public order policing.
Furthermore, the force used to disperse the crowd was disproportional.
Addressing the media in Pretoria on Friday, Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa said following the deaths of the four people during a protest over water shortages in the area, he tasked the SAPS management to institute an internal investigation, independent of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate probe.
The preliminary report, which was received on Wednesday, found that provisions of the Regulations of Gatherings Act were inconsistently applied by all parties, particularly with regards to giving notice, among other things.
Mthethwa said although no live ammunition was used to dispense the crowd, police members did use 12 gauge rounds with pellets which was discontinued in the service in 2006.
“There was no live ammunition used. Instead they used 12 gauge rounds with pellets that they were not supposed to be used either,” he said.
Two protesters were shot dead, allegedly by police while another man died in hospital after falling out of a moving police vehicle in a bid to escape.
In light of the preliminary findings, six police officers have been suspended while another eight are being served with their suspension notices.
IPID is investigating a case of four counts of murder and four of attempted murder.
“We envisage completing this disciplinary process within the prescribed 60 days,” said Mthethwa.
National Commissioner of Police, Riah Phiyega, said the 14 officers who were implicated in the report include six Constables, six Warrant Officers and two Lieutenants.
She said all the officers have served for a long time and are well trained.
The police management dismissed perceptions that there is a prevalent culture of impunity within the police service. They reiterated that the country’s policing philosophy was a community-centred philosophy.
Mthethwa said there was no carte blanche given to members to kill innocent people who protest.
He added that protestors were reminded that the Dangerous Weapons Act was a new piece of legislation that came into effect on 2 January, which made it a criminal offence to possess a dangerous weapon with the intention to commit an unlawful act.
He said it was the responsibility of the organisers of protests to ensure their their members did not carry weapons and they their behaviour is peaceful.
Lieutenant General Kehla John Sithole said discipline was part of basic policing which they enforce daily. “But like in any other organisation, there will be discipline problems, but in the SAPS we deal with it accordingly.”
Phiyega said the police handle more than 10 000 per year.
During the last financial year, about 13 000 crowd-related incidents were responded to and successfully stabilized. Of this figure, only 1 882 were violent incidents. –SAnews.gov.za
