Police to ‘consider’ Edenvale demonstrators’ memorandum highlighting concerns about police brutality
“The allegations are generalised, but the memorandum will be handed to the police commissioner for consideration” - Lt Col Lungelo Dlamini
Community members and politicians took to the streets to highlight and stop the alleged police brutality in Edenvale’s policing precinct.
The Enough is Enough march was held on September 29 and saw approximately 30 demonstrators take part.
Also read:
- DA councillors allegedly assaulted, arrested by Edenvale police officers
- Ward councillors, community members face assault charges at Edenvale Magistrate’s Court
- Case against ward councillors postponed
Ward councillors Simon Lapping (Ward 17) and Tracey Lourenco (Ward 104), as well as community members Kim Smith and Samantha Nieuwoudt, took part in the march.
The march came after the four were accused of assaulting Edenvale police officers on August 10.
They have since appeared in Edenvale Magistrate’s Court twice and will appear again on October 18.
Lapping, Lourenco, Smith and Nieuwoudt brought counter-charges against the police and lodged complaints with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
The march started at Horwood’s Farm and ended at Edenvale Police Station.
Despite support from members of the community, Edenvale Community Police Forum (ECPF) did not attend the march.
ECPF executive member Nadia Atkinson said the CPF did not participate, because the march had links to a political party.
Also Read:
- LATEST: Metro Cops arrested for assault on UK tourist are released on a warning
- UPDATE: UK tourist left battered after assault by metro police officer in Edenvale
- Reader disgusted with attack on UK tourist
- Know the law when stopped by metro police
- Two metro police assault incidents in four days reported in Edenvale
- Same police officer implicated in 3 alleged assault cases
- Metro policing questioned
“The ECPF is a mediator between the police and community. People need to use the relevant channels to raise their concerns. The ECPF supports the police,” said Atkinson.
Atkinson later added, “As a CPF we did not take part in the march as we are an apolitical forum which needs to follow its own constitution. We support the police, but we do not condone corruption, bribery and police brutality.”
“I am very happy with how the march went and that we were able to present the memo,” said march organiser Lapping.
Requests made in the memorandum and handed over to station commander Col Sudesh Sookraj included:
• An audit of Edenvale police officers’ lifestyles and qualifications.
• Officers to undergo community and customer care training.
• To remove officers who have convictions from the station.
Lapping said the march was the first step in the process of holding the police accountable.
Also read:
- Gold Tooth’ not guilty – CPF
- Claims of ‘rogue’ cops at Edenvale continue
- Rights violated at police station
- Edenvale SAPS condemns misconduct by its members
- DA calls for suspension of “gold tooth” police officer
- Station management to be investigated
- Hawks knew – Information that cases were reported was edited out
“I believe that Edenvale Police Station has been neglected for far too long, and as a result the community has been neglected.”
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Lt Col Lungelo Dlamini said the police would look into the allegations made by the community.
“The allegations are generalised, but the memorandum will be handed to the police commissioner for consideration.”
Dlamini welcomed the community members’ right to demonstrate, but encouraged them to work with an established structure such as the CPF to raise their concerns.
Member of Parliament Mike Waters hoped the march would remove rogue elements from the station.
“I hope the matter was taken seriously. The police need to understand the anger of the community.”
For more news and interesting articles, like Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS on Facebook or follow us on Twitter
Watch:
