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6 MARCH 2000 The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD), a statutory body operationally independent of the South African Police Services that is tasked with ensuring that complaints against members of the service are investigated effectively and efficiently, wishes to report on the outcomes or progress of some of its cases countrywide. These cases have been finalized or dealt with by the courts during February 2000. It should be noted that in the majority of the cases the victims or alleged victims of the offences were not themselves alleged to have been involved in criminal activities but were ordinary members of the public. The ICD is gravely concerned by the apparent propensity to resort to force, including lethal force, on the part of members of SAPS that these cases seem to reflect. The ICD has been and is still involved in various research initiatives relating to the police use of force. It intends to engage role-players and bring out recommendations to address the underlying causes of the excessive use of force. In doing so, the ICD will be mindful of the tremendous pressures that members of SAPS operate under. The ICD is concerned that not enough has been done to equip members adequately with training and equipment to enable them to carry out their duties effectively within the framework of the new constitutional dispensation. The ICD’s own impact in this area has been limited by its lack of resources and limited mandate. Fore enquiries contact: |