Police chairperson disappointed by further shooting of student
16 March 2021
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, is dismayed by reports of a further shooting and wounding of a student yesterday in Johannesburg.
“This happened despite the call by the President, Cabinet and the Chairperson for restraint, especially dealing with students and public protests in general. The shooting of the student shows a complete disregard for the right to protest, human life and human rights as enshrined in the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. We require a professional public order policing that displays a respect for human life and protects those who protest peacefully,” MsJoemat-Petterssonemphasised.
The Chairperson has also called on management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to take charge and show leadership because the perpetuation of these shootings has the potential of further eroding the relationship of trust between South Africans and the police. “The work of the police will be negatively impacted if the trust deficit between the public and the police is further eroded. The effectiveness of the work of the SAPS is primarily dependent on a good working relationship between the police and community members,” MsJoemat-Petterssonemphasised.
The committee will, as a result, interact urgently with the leadership of the SAPS on the Panel of Experts report that arose as a recommendation of the Farlam Commission in Inquiry into the Marikana massacre. The meeting is envisioned to take place during the parliamentary recess period in order to urgently find solutions to the increasingly worrying use of excessive force by the police.