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September 2003 The Minister for Safety and Security Mr. Charles Nqakula has tabled the 2002/2003 Annual Report of the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) in Parliament on 25 September 2003, making the report officially a public document. During the financial year 2002/2003, ICD received 4 443 public complaints falling within its mandate of which 528 were notifications of deaths in police custody or as a result of police action. This represents an increase of 31.8% in the total intake of public complaints and a decline of 9.7% in the number of deaths, compared to the financial year 2001/2002. The number of public complaints received in 2001/2002 was 3 369, of which 585 were notifications of deaths in police custody or as a result of police action. 1 002 cases of criminal offences committed by SAPS members reflect an 88.7% increase compared to 531 cases for the period 2001/2002. 2913 incidents of misconduct reflect a 29.3% increase compared to 2 253 for the period 2001/2002. The breakdown of notifications of deaths in police custody during 2002/2003 is as follows: Deaths in police custody
Suicides accounted for 31.3 % of deaths in custody. 50.2% of deaths in police custody can be ascribed to natural causes, indicating that the deceased became ill or were already ill when they were taken into police custody. In 12.9% of cases, deaths were caused by injuries sustained prior to custody due to members of communities taking the law into their own hands. In 5.5% of the cases, suspects died as a result of injuries sustained in custody, in many instances inflicted by fellow inmates. Deaths as a result of police action
The largest number of notifications of deaths in police custody or as a result of police action was recorded in Gauteng (152) followed by KwaZulu Natal (101) and Western Cape (57). The province with the least number of notifications is the North West (39) followed by Free State (38) with the Northern Cape recording the lowest number (01). There were 293 shootings by police members, which resulted in death. 284 were incidents in which the deceased were suspects, while in 9 incidents the deceased were innocent bystanders caught in crossfire between the police and criminals. These shootings occurred mostly during the course of arrest (58%), and while the victims were allegedly committing crime (16%). There were 0.3% of cases of shootings during the course of investigation while 11.9% of the incidents resulted from intentional shootings not related to police operations. Lastly, 4.1% cases involved negligent handling of a firearm. 50% of deaths in police custody and as a result of police action involved officers of the rank of Inspector. The next ranking of officers was that of Sergeant at 27% and Constable at 18%. In 3% of cases, officers of the rank of Captain were involved in the death of detainees. Of the 2913 cases of misconduct, most of these cases relate to poor service rendered by the SAPS. Neglect of duty or performing duties in an improper manner accounts for 2601 and failure to perform duties totals 280. For more information: www.icd.gov.za Steve Mabona
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