Minister Plato Condemns Delft Mob Violence Incident

Statement by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety

I condemn in the strongest possible manner the mob violence incident in which a suspected thief was allegedly stoned, beaten and brutally attacked with whips and pliers in Delft last Thursday.

Mob justice cannot be tolerated in our communities and any perpetrators of mob justice must face the full might of the law.

The incident, of which video footage has been distributed via social media, allegedly took place in full view of children as young as four and allegations of law enforcement inaction are cause for grave concern.

Law enforcers – be it the South African Police Service (SAPS), Metro Police or Provincial Traffic – stand at service to the entire community and in incidents of violence cannot be a mere idle bystander.

I commend the swift action by the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement Management in suspending the Law Enforcement Officers identified and launching an urgent investigation into establishing whether these officers failed in their duties. I trust that they will not only uncover what happened at the scene but also put corrective measures in place to prevent future incidents and I have requested a full report on the incident.

Members of our communities are urged never to take the law into their own hands and rather alert law enforcement officials if any wrongdoing is suspected or if any crime is being committed.

Law enforcement officials have to always provide a quality of service to the public which is professional and beyond reproach.

The tragic incident in Delft saw reactionary failures from both law enforcers and the public which has to be corrected. The trusting relationship between communities and policing services has to be restored.

I call on all communities in the province to partner with all law enforcement officials towards safer environments.