The Western Cape Police Ombudsman (WCPO) finalised 86.32% of pending cases between April and December 2023.
Reagen Allen, Western Cape minister of police oversight and community safety, says the Ombudsman’s office plays an important part in holding the South African Police Service (SAPS) accountable.
Also read: Western Cape ombudsman to investigate police inefficiencies
‘To achieve such a high completion rate is admirable, and no less than what residents deserve. I urge the office to ensure that the outstanding matters are swiftly dealt with. I also encourage our communities to make use of the services offered by the ombudsman.’
As per the latest WCPO report, 265 of the 307 cases were finalised. A total of 30 cases are still being investigated, while eight still need to be allocated. Four are to be finalised.
These are the outstanding matters:
‘The WCPO’s office is another layer that we use in this province to achieve improved policing practices. As the Western Cape Government, we will continue to support the Ombudsman’s office, so that they are better placed to conduct their work impartially and independently,’ says Reagen.
The Western Cape is the only province with a dedicated police ombudsman. The entity was created by the Western Cape Community Safety Act of 2013.
The WCPO aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of police services while improving relations between the SAPS and communities by investigating complaints of police inefficiency and/or a breakdown of relations between the police and communities.
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under R100 000. Find car listings here.
The WCPO received 25 poor reports between July and September 2023.
These derived from SAPS stations in:
- Athlone
- Bishop Lavis
- Bothasig
- Darling
- Delft
- Hout Bay
- Khayelitsha
- Lansdowne
- Lentegeur
- Manenberg
- Mitchells Plain
- Nyanga
- Paarl East
- Philippi
- Provincial Head Office
- Riviersonderend
- Somerset West
- Stellenbosch
- Tableview
- Uniondale
- Wynberg FCS
Between October and December 2023, the WCPO received 21 poor investigation complaints derived from SAPS stations in:
- Belhar
- Bishop Lavis
- Clanwilliam
- Da Gamaskop
- Hout Bay
- Kensington
- Kleinvlei
- Knysna
- Lingelethu West
- Manenberg
- Mitchells Plain
- Muizenberg
- Pacaltsdorp
- Philippi
- Piketberg
- Pinelands
- Robertson
- Saldanha
- Tableview
Other complaints relate to poor communication, poor response and unacceptable behaviour.
The WCPO’s office can be reached Monday to Friday between 7am to 4pm on 0214830669, [email protected] or westerncape.gov.za/police-ombudsman
Cape {town} Etc discount: Want exclusive use of the Killarney Race Track Skid Pan? Get this self-drive drift experience for just R2 899 (valued at R3 950) here.
Also read:
Western Cape government welcomes the appointment of a new Police Ombudsman
Picture: JP Smith / Facebook
