Minister Fritz condemns assault by SAPS members in Worcester

Minister Fritz condemns assault by SAPS members in Worcester; welcomes investigation into matter

The Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, welcomes SAPS in the Western Cape’s investigation into the alleged misconduct of two Worcester SAPS police officers, where they were filmed assaulting two men.

SAPS in the Western Cape have, with immediate effect, begun investigating the matter under its Cluster Commander, Major General Nomthetheleli Mene.

During the recorded incident, a police officer is seen assaulting a man with a sjambok. A second police officer is seen searching and slapping a second man.  

According to SAPS,  preliminary findings show that the incident occurred in Worcester on Monday, 18 January 2021 and that the police vehicle videoed belongs to Ceres police station but is currently utilised by a police unit  in Worcester. The police officials in question have been identified as SAPS employees attached to the Worcester station and the two alleged victims are yet to be identified.

Minister Fritz said, “While I welcome the investigation into this alleged misconduct, I strongly condemn the actions of those officers. It is my hope that the investigation will provide more insight into the events surrounding the incident.”

Minister Fritz added, “Going forward, I will also request a report on the investigation to take further remedial action, if necessary. It is imperative that citizens in province look to SAPS to ensure their safety and that this is not undermined by misconduct of any kind.”