SAPS provide ways to report own brutality

Police said yesterday they had beefed up their capacity to handle complaints about brutality, and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment during the lockdown in response to a Pretoria high court ruling in the Collins Khosa case.

National police spokesperson Brig Vishnu Naidoo says the public can now report these allegations at the nearest police station or at the SAPS national service complaints centre.

The national service complaints centre can be reached on the toll-free number 0800 333 177 or via e-mail on complaintsnodalpoint@saps.gov.za or service@saps.gov.za.

“Complaints can vary from torture and/or cruel, inhumane and/or degrading treatment and/or punishment, committed by law enforcement members, including poor service delivery regarding police response, investigations, police negligence and police misconduct.”

Whistleblowers would need to provide their full details including name, identity number, residential addresses and contact details.

“Complainants will also be required to give a detailed description of what occurred during the incident, including the province/area in which the complaint originated as well as the date and time of the incident and details of the SAPS officials involved.”

The high court ruled on May 15 that all people in SA were entitled to a number of rights which could not be suspended, even during the Covid-19 state of disaster.

This was in response to the death of Collins Khosa, 41, who was allegedly beaten at his home in Alexandra, Gauteng, on April 10.

Khosa’s family sought, and were granted, an order compelling defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and police minister Bheki Cele to develop and publish a code of conduct and operational procedures for soldiers and police.