Police have not killed anyone during the #FeesMustFall protests, and Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane believes this shows the men and women in blue have exercised maximum restraint despite accusations of brutality elsewhere.
During a media briefing in Pretoria at the weekend, police bosses were at pains to explain that police are not brutal and morale among them was at an all-time high. Both Police Minister Nathi Nhleko and Phahlane put on brave faces responding to questions about police brutality and confidence among police officers given their killings.
Rejecting allegations of brutality, Phahlane said: "It can't be that when there's a response to a particular situation that we jump the gun and conclude that police are brutal. It pains me to hear we're brutal. There was a reference to 2012 [Marikana], we have moved on since 2012."
Phahlane said there were still "protests left, right and centre" but police "have exercised maximum restraint in the process".
"Among others, it was protests relating to [university] #FeesMustFall [campaign]. We don't have a record of anyone who died. But how many stones were pelted at the police? Where were those who view us as being brutal when our people were under severe attack?"
By September last year, 58 police officers had been killed. Just on Saturday, a plain-clothed warrant officer was killed at a funeral in Jane Furse, Limpopo, allegedly by community members who mistook him for a criminal when he tried to arrest a suspect.
On the other hand, police are facing fresh accusations of brutality following the death of a Nigerian man in Kempton Park.
Residents have claimed an officer suffocated the man allegedly caught selling drugs. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has now launched an investigation into the killing.
But police still face accusations of brutality over shooting to death 34 mineworkers in Marikana.
Phahlane said those who killed the police officer in Jane Furse are behind bars. The firearm that was taken from him has been recovered. Furthermore, the Ipid Amendment Bill is currently in parliament. Nhleko said the Bill "seeks to bring stronger legislation that will contribute to the fight against corruption and enhance police accountability".
A panel of experts to look into how the SAPS should implement recommendations of the Marikana Commission of Inquiry has been established, Nhleko revealed.
Among others, the panel will review public order policing, an area that the Marikana commission found the SAPS wanting.
nkosib@sowetan.co.za
Cops dismiss brutality tag
Police have not killed anyone during the #FeesMustFall protests, and Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane believes this shows the men and women in blue have exercised maximum restraint despite accusations of brutality elsewhere.
During a media briefing in Pretoria at the weekend, police bosses were at pains to explain that police are not brutal and morale among them was at an all-time high. Both Police Minister Nathi Nhleko and Phahlane put on brave faces responding to questions about police brutality and confidence among police officers given their killings.
Rejecting allegations of brutality, Phahlane said: "It can't be that when there's a response to a particular situation that we jump the gun and conclude that police are brutal. It pains me to hear we're brutal. There was a reference to 2012 [Marikana], we have moved on since 2012."
Phahlane said there were still "protests left, right and centre" but police "have exercised maximum restraint in the process".
"Among others, it was protests relating to [university] #FeesMustFall [campaign]. We don't have a record of anyone who died. But how many stones were pelted at the police? Where were those who view us as being brutal when our people were under severe attack?"
By September last year, 58 police officers had been killed. Just on Saturday, a plain-clothed warrant officer was killed at a funeral in Jane Furse, Limpopo, allegedly by community members who mistook him for a criminal when he tried to arrest a suspect.
On the other hand, police are facing fresh accusations of brutality following the death of a Nigerian man in Kempton Park.
Residents have claimed an officer suffocated the man allegedly caught selling drugs. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has now launched an investigation into the killing.
But police still face accusations of brutality over shooting to death 34 mineworkers in Marikana.
Phahlane said those who killed the police officer in Jane Furse are behind bars. The firearm that was taken from him has been recovered. Furthermore, the Ipid Amendment Bill is currently in parliament. Nhleko said the Bill "seeks to bring stronger legislation that will contribute to the fight against corruption and enhance police accountability".
A panel of experts to look into how the SAPS should implement recommendations of the Marikana Commission of Inquiry has been established, Nhleko revealed.
Among others, the panel will review public order policing, an area that the Marikana commission found the SAPS wanting.
nkosib@sowetan.co.za
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