Question NW3119 to the Minister of Police
07 September 2015 - NW3119
Figg, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Police
(1)With reference to the recent strike action in the Baviaans Local Municipality, why did the SA Police Service, under the supervision of two certain persons (names and details furnished), allegedly refuse to (a) protect citizens when requested to do so and (b) enforce a court order aimed at preventing strikers from damaging and illegally occupying municipal property; (2) whether he will take any action against the specified persons; if not, why not; if so, what action will he take?
Reply:
(1)(a) The South African Police Service acted promptly to protect the citizens when requested to do so. Throughout the strike action there has been continuous communication and engagement between SAPS and Municipal Manager. There has also been a continuous communication and engagement between Major General Mki, Deputy Provincial Commissioner: Operational Services from the Provincial Commissioner’s office and Mr Von Buchenroder M. (MPL, DA) and he had been kept abreast about the police actions pertaining to the strike. Consequent to these police actions, two criminal cases have been registered being Willowmore CAS 34/07/2015 Assault Common and Willowmore CAS 46/07/2015 Attempted Murder.
(1)(b) The South African Police Service did enforce the Court Order and the subsequent occupation of the Office of the Municipal Manager was through his permission on the misunderstanding that the group representing the strikers wanted to engage in negotiations in order to address the causes of the strike.
When it transpired later that this was not the intention, the Municipal Manager summoned the police who immediately removed the group. In instances where the strikers convened a gathering in contravention of the order, the police immediately broke up such gathering and criminal cases were registered.
A municipal truck that was parked at Steytlerville municipal premises was damaged during the night and the matter is still under investigation. Due to the above police actions, the following criminal cases have been registered being Steytlerville CAS 14/07/2015 Malicious Damage to Property, Willowmore CAS 47/07/2015 Intimidation and Willowmore CAS 43/07/2015 Illegal Gathering.
(2) No action is envisaged against the two officers. There is no evidence to substantiate the failure to act on their part in this situation but on the contrary criminal investigations have been instituted against the strikers and some cases have already referred to the prosecuting authority for decision.