Ipid clears police over use of water cannon on grant recipients in Bellville In January, officers used a water cannon to enforce social distancing among queueing beneficiaries at Sassa s Bellville office. Picture: Twitter/@SAPoliceService.
8 hours ago
CAPE TOWN - The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has found no wrongdoing in relation to police action to disperse disability grant recipients.
In January, officers used a water cannon to enforce social distancing among queueing beneficiaries at Sassa s Bellville office.
Western Cape Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz then laid a complaint.
The Ipid report was not made public but Eyewitness News has seen it.
Bernadette Wicks The case dates back to January 2019, when McBride rushed to court after learning Police Minister Bheki Cele had decided not to renew his contract as Ipid chief. File picture. Robert McBride former head of Ipid testifies at the Zondo Commission of inquiry in Parktown Johannesburg. (Picture by Gallo Images/Netwerk24/Felix Dlangamandla)
Last month, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) threw out the Helen Suzman Foundation’s bid to void former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) head Robert McBride’s ousting in 2019.
But the battle is not over yet. The foundation this week announced it had lodged an application for leave to appeal against the SCA’s decision with the Constitutional Court .
Dismissal of Nelson Mandela Bay policemen changed to suspension
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape demanded to have three policemen, who were suspended, return back to work.
According to Marshall Von Buchenroder, Democratic Alliance (DA) MPL, the three Brigadiers will no longer be dismissed.
Humewood station commander Brigadier Leonie Bentley, Gelvandale station commander Brigadier Lawrence Soekoe and Brigadier Ronald Koll will now be suspended for two months without pay.
MEMBERS MARCHED TO POLICE STATION
WITH DEMANDS
On Wednesday, 5 May, the DA marched to Mount Road Police Station to hand over a memorandum asking for fairness following a Disciplinary Committee recommendation to dismiss the policemen.
Police in Mpumalanga are looking for suspects who committed a business burglary at a local supermarket in Matsulu near Malelane, one suspect was reportedly killed during a shootout between the suspects and police officers who responded.
A business burglary case was opened and the shooting incident is being probed by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
Police urge anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects to call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or send information via MySAPSApp. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.