eMbalenhle community clashes with IPID over slow progress in death investigation

Tensions flared on November 12 when officials from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) returned to the Mandela Section community to give feedback on the investigation into the death of Mkhapheni Mbatha.

The meeting, meant to provide updates, was met with anger and frustration from residents, who accused IPID of inaction and of protecting the police officers allegedly involved.

Last month, community members marched to demand the arrest of police officers accused of assaulting and killing Mbatha. They raised a host of allegations of corruption, brutality, and misconduct against officers at the eMbalenhle Police Station.

Alleged killing of Mkhapheni Mbatha
According to the community, Mbatha was washing clothes with his four-year-old child when heavily armed police officers approached him, demanding drugs and cash allegedly linked to drug sales.

When Mbatha denied having any, officers allegedly assaulted him – kicking, choking, and suffocating him with a plastic bag to force a confession. He reportedly died at the scene.

Residents allege that both eMbalenhle Police and Secunda POPS officers were involved and that the station commander knows who they are.

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Other alleged cases of police misconduct
The community memorandum presented to IPID outlines several other serious allegations, including:

• Shooting of Robert Hlophe (March 15):
Hlophe was reportedly shot in the chest by an eMbalenhle police officer while waiting for transport to work. He survived but still lives with a bullet lodged near his vital organs.

• Bribery and assault of a ward committee member:
Officers allegedly solicited bribes at a local kitchen spot. When a ward committee member confronted them, he was reportedly pepper-sprayed, run over by a police vehicle, and unlawfully arrested.

• Extortion of drug dealers and keeping seized drugs and cash for personal use.

• Taking bribes from illegal alcohol traders and foreign shop owners under threat of deportation.

• Stealing confiscated copper cables and selling them to scrapyards.

• Torturing and robbing illegal miners, allegedly reselling seized gold.

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Community demands
The community demanded:

• Independent investigations into all reported cases.
• Immediate suspension of implicated officers.
• Criminal prosecution or dismissal of guilty officers.
• Transparent updates to the community on investigation progress.
• Public access to police misconduct records and body-camera footage.
• Formation of an independent community oversight body with investigative powers.

IPID’s response
Leading the IPID delegation, Glen Angus explained that the directorate’s mandate is to conduct independent and impartial investigations into serious offences committed by SAPS and municipal law enforcers.

“Our role is to investigate criminal offences such as deaths in custody, deaths as a result of police action, rape by police officers, and incidents involving the use of official firearms.

“We do not arrest first and investigate later. We gather all necessary evidence and then submit the docket to prosecutors, who decide on arrests,” said Angus.

He also clarified that the IPID can recommend disciplinary action but does not have the authority to suspend officers, saying that responsibility lies with the SAPS provincial commissioner.

ALSO READ: Community demands IPID intervention against police brutality in eMbalenhle

Community reaction and witness fears
Community members expressed disappointment that no one was arrested or suspended in Mbatha’s case.

“We came here expecting answers on whether those SAPS members were arrested and when they will appear in court,” said Essau Shabalala, accusing IPID of “protecting each other.”

Residents also raised concerns about witness safety. One witness claimed a person identifying himself as an IPID investigator contacted her, asking her to change her statement. She now fears for her life.

The IPID responded that the witness protection programme could be activated if her safety is genuinely at risk.

Meeting ends in frustration
As tensions rose, Ward 20 Councillor Masabatha Kubheka adjourned the meeting, noting that it was becoming disorderly.

The IPID officials said updates to the case would be shared directly with Mbatha’s family, in line with their procedures.