Minister of Police Bheki Cele has requested a written report from the Western Cape’s police management to look into recent controversies surrounding police reaction to those breaking lockdown regulations.
In recent weeks, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape has been embroiled in a number of controversies, including using a water cannon on social grant applicants in Bellville and not acting against people who openly defied the lockdown regulation beach ban at Muizenberg Beach.
Cele is currently visiting the Western Cape to also address the rising levels of crime, which includes two mass shootings in the Cape Flats. Multiple people were killed in mass shootings in Khayelitsha and Ravensmead over the past weekend.
Six people were gunned down in a shack in Khayelitsha on Saturday morning [January 30], and this shooting is believed to be linked to an ongoing extortion issue in the area.
Two 16-year-olds were killed in Ravensmead on Friday, January 29, along with a 45-year-old. One person has been arrested in connection with the Ravensmead shootings.
Thus far, Cele has met with 78 station commanders to assess crime levels in the province’s various policing precincts and to assess the response of police.
Picture: Parapus.com