Question NW1876 to the Minister of Police
26 September 2016 - NW1876
Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Police
(1) Has the SA Police Service (SAPS) officer who shot and injured a 17-year old learner outside Rietvale Secondary School in Ritchie, Northern Cape, on 14 June 2016 been placed on suspension pending finalisation of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the specified IPID investigation has been completed yet; if not, (a) why not and (b) by when is it expected that the specified investigation will be completed; if so, (i) what were the findings, (ii) what is the recommended sanction against the specified officer and (iii) has the specified recommendation been implemented by the SAPS?
Reply:
(1) On the basis of the information provided to me please accept this as an interim reply as I have dedicated somebody to give me more clarity on some of the issues I have raised with SAPS, therefore full response on part one will soon follow, however part two of the question has been responded to fully.
(2) The case was taken over from SAPS by IPID for investigation on the 17 June 2016. On 14 July 2016 the case was referred to the office of the Provincial Director of Public Prosecution and SAPS respectively with the recommendations that the member be charged both Departmental and Criminal. The Provincial SAPS decided to charge the member and the Departmental trial is set for 19 September 2016. The office of the National Director of Public Prosecution returned the case docket on 01 September 2016 for further investigation before the decision can be taken. The IPID intend to complete the outstanding investigations as directed by DPP on or before 15 September 2016. Furthermore, the IPID will not be in the position to state why the member was not suspended by SAPS. The suspension of the member is the solely the prerogative of the SAPS Management.