The Commission of Inquiry into Khayelitsha policing has completed its first two weeks of public hearings. Residents, practitioners and academics have placed powerful evidence before the Commission.
The Commissioners, evidence leaders, counsel for all parties, the media and hundreds of residents have heard about the constant fear and lack of safety experienced in Khayelitsha. They have heard about police failing victims and families, of blatant disregard for basic procedure, and police who steal and commit unjustified violence. Many residents have spoken of their complete lack of faith or trust in the police. They have also heard about the difficult conditions that police work under, the dire lack of infrastructure and the need for support from other roleplayers outside the formal criminal justice system.
Please see the links below for transcripts of the testimonies heard in the past week:
- Malwande Msongelwa on the murder of her brother
http://tinyurl.com/mtxr45l (starts page 534)
- Nontembeko Nduna on her niece being killed by a SAPS vehicle
http://tinyurl.com/mtxr45l (starts page 554)
- Dr Genine Josias on SAPS and rape in Khayelitsha
http://tinyurl.com/lu9ywno (starts page 594)
- Dr Debra Kaminer on the extremely high prevalence of children being exposed to acts of violence in Khayelitsha – more than 90%
http://tinyurl.com/l6xagpu (from page 796)
- Ms Ntsilane on domestic violence and SAPS’s failure to address the problem
http://tinyurl.com/l6xagpu (from page 891)
The third week of public hearings runs from Monday 3 to Friday 7 February. Gillian Slovo, daughter of the late Ruth First and Joe Slovo as well as her daughter Cassie Slovo and family friend, activist Stacey Stent attended the Commission on Friday, 31 January. They will return this coming week.
Zwelinzima Vavi, workers' leader and suspended General-Secretary of Cosatu, will attend hearings on Monday 3 February.
Witnesses appearing this week include:
Dr. Shabir Wadee (Head of the Division of Forensic Medicine, Stellenbosch University)
Harif Loonat (Former Chairman, Western Cape Community Police Board)
Dr. Gilbert Lawrence (Head of the Western Cape Provincial Department of Community Safety)
Richard Bosman (Executive Director, Directorate of Safety & Security, City of Cape Town)
Rochelle Harmse (Senior Prosecutor, Khayelitsha Magistrates Court)
Prof. Lillian Artz (Associate Professor at Gender, Health & Justice Research Unit, University of Cape Town)
Welcome Makele (Social Justice Coalition activist)
PUBLIC ACTION
We are continuing to celebrate the beginning of the Commission and highlighting the ongoing school gang violence in Khayelitsha and have already held a number of marches. Please join us for our final two marches:
MARCH 3: 8 February, 10h00 – 13h00
March from Sigwele Avenue close to Ikhusi Primary School to Thandazo Street, Site B
MARCH 4: 15 February
Town Two, route to be confirmed
If you would like to join the marches or attend the public hearings please contact the people below for further details:
Malwande Msongelwa (SJC) Billy Dutuylwa (TAC)
078 175 7632 078 926 5160
For media enquiries please contact:
Joel Bregman (SJC) Phumzile Tyulu (NU)
072 769 0100 071 129 7609
joel@sjc.org.za phumzile@nu.org.za
Yoliswa Dwane (EE) Mike Hamnca (TAC)
072 342 7747 071 317 1349
