On Wednesday the Western Cape Police Ombudsman (WCPO) shared contact details and urged members of the public to formally lodge service delivery complaints against the SAPS.
The WCPO said, “It has come to our attention through social media and other channels, that excessive force, vulgar language and other harsh forms of interaction are being used towards communities in the Western Cape, not only by the South African Police Service (SAPS) but by other Law Enforcement Agencies and the South African National Defense Force.”
President Ramaphosa made it clear in his speech on 30 March that law enforcement agencies are there to support and comfort the public and to make sure that peace and order is being maintained.
“The President reiterated that the security personnel must act within the ambit of the law at all times and must not cause harm to any of our people.”
Members of the public can lodge their service delivery complaints against the SAPS or Cape Town Metro Police Department by visiting the Ombudsman website: www.westerncape.gov.za/police-ombudsman/ or email ombudsman@wcpo.gov.za.
Complaints about police brutality or excessive force, can contact Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) on complaints@ipid.gov.za or visit the IPID website on www.ipid.gov.za.
Complaints against the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) can be lodged with the Military Ombudsman at intake@milombud.org or call 080 726 6283, which is a toll-free number.
“As the office of the Western Cape Police Ombudsman, we commend those agencies who are doing their best to keep the streets and our communities safe, and we encourage all to respect the rule of law during this time.”
