Police dismiss Emidi Joseph Macua (Mido Macia) accused
04 July 2014
General Riah Phiyega, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, yesterday announced that eight police officers from the Daveyton Police Station, who were involved in the death of Mido Macia (full name Emidi Joseph Macua) have been dismissed.
"I am pleased with the outcome of what was a very thorough process. I want every SAPS member to know that I will fight to the hilt for them if they do their work in accordance with our prescripts and code of conduct. That is why we have introduced a reward system to recognize police officers who go beyond the call duty to assist and protect members of the public.
"Those that do not do their work in accordance with our prescripts and who commit acts of criminality can expect to find themselves outside the SAPS. Together with the leadership team, we have resolved not to tolerate criminality within the police. We want to offer a service which is professional, caring and respectful towards the human rights of the suspects with whom we are in contact," General Phiyega added.
General Phiyega indicated that there was no excuse for the conduct of the members involved. "The death of Mido Macia at the hands of these police officers has negatively affected the reputation of the SAPS. The sanction of dismissal is therefore welcomed and we believe it will send the correct message to other officers."
In February 2013 a video depicting Macia being dragged behind a police van, allegedly by these Daveyton police officers, went viral on social and other media. It was established that Macia died of his injuries after having been taken into custody.
This act brought the South African Police Service into disrepute, both locally and internationally. Management acted swiftly with the departmental investigation. To this end, all of the nine members allegedly involved were immediately suspended without pay pending the outcome of the departmental investigation.
Constables Lungisa Chalmers Gwababa, Bongani Kolisi, Percy Jonathan Mnisi, Bongumusa Mdluli, Sipho Sidwell Ngobeni, Mbongeleni Thamsanqa Ngema and Warrant Officers Alfred Linda Sololo and Mishack Malele were found guilty of various charges, such as :-
- Failing to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of Macia;
- The common law offence of assault with intent to cause grievousbodily harm;
- Having failed without justification to disclose knowledge about the incident to the SAPS or to take reasonable steps to help the SAPS to acquire knowledge of the assault and/or cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of Macia;
- Making false statements or evidence in the execution of their duties;
- Arresting the victim under circumstances where he should not have been arrested.
The ninth member, who was initially charged with the other eight, was acquitted of the charges as he was found not to have been present during the time of the incident.
This brings the number of police officers who have been dismissed from the SAPS this year alone to 70.
The criminal matter in respect of the Mido Macia case is underway in the Delmas court. These accused last appeared in court on 26 May 2014 and they are expected to reappear on 16 February 2015 when they will have to answer to a case of murder.
Statement issued by Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale, South African Police Service, July 6 2014
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