ICD HAS SET UP A TASK TEAM TO REVIEW CASES
INVOLVING MEMBERS OF THE CATO MANOR ORGANISED
CRIME UNIT
Media Statement
PRETORIA – 15 December 2011
The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) has
noted the Sunday Times report alleging the
existence of a death squad within the Cato Manor
Organised Crime Unit (CMOCU). The ICD has not
investigated any death squad but it has
investigated the involvement of individual
members of the CMOCU in the deaths of suspects
at different periods.
The ICD
takes the allegations seriously and as a result
it has established a Task Team of investigators
to review all the cases involving members of the
CMOCU. The Task Team will be led by Mr Innocent
Khuba, who is currently the provincial head of
the ICD in Limpopo. He will also be the contact
person for any witnesses or for people with
information to link up with. The
ICD’s role is to conduct a proper investigation
and take the docket to the Director of Public
Prosecutions (DPP) whose role is to decide
whether or not to prosecute anyone based on the
evidence presented to him/her. If the DPP
decides not to prosecute, he/she may decide that
an inquest should be held. Such an inquest is
presided over by a magistrate who can call
witnesses to testify before him including the
relevant experts. The outcome of such an inquest
could be that someone is held liable or not. In
case someone is held liable, charges such as
murder could be brought against such a person.
It is alleged that there are witnesses to the
atrocities reported by the Sunday Times and the
ICD would like to call on these witnesses to
make contact with the Task Team by contacting Mr
Innocent Khuba on 084 702 2741 or
ikhuba@icd.gov.za. Any information
(including the identity of witnesses) provided
to the Task Team will be treated with
confidentiality There is also a
Witness Protection Programme
through which the safety of witnesses can be
safeguarded. This programme is available to
those who fear for their lives. Information can
also be provided to the Task Team anonymously.
Policemen and women should do their work within
the confines of the laws of our country, which
prohibit the execution of suspects. The duty of
the police is to arrest and bring suspects
before the relevant courts of law.
The ICD is committed to ensuring that rogue
elements within the police service are removed
but it needs witnesses and those with
information to come forward. This will ensure
that the bad elements are punished in line with
the laws of our country.
Issued by the Independent Complaints Directorate
For enquiries:
ICD National Spokesperson
Moses Dlamini
082 809 1927
mdlamini@icd.gov.za
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