Women’s groups target SAPS

MORE than a week after Constable Ronnie Masie shot dead his wife and three others at the Alexandra police station in Johannesburg, civil society has written to parliament demanding serious oversight on domestic violence.

The letter, by the Woman’s Legal Centre and Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (Wiser) to parliament’s portfolio committee on police, was delivered on Thursday and raises “critical issues” on poor implementation of the Domestic Violence Act by SAPS.

Endorsed by 30 individuals and organisations, it noted that national police commissioner Riah Phiyega failed to submit reports to parliament on domestic violence since 2013 as required by the Domestic Violence Act.

Wiser’s Lisa Vetten said SAPS and Phiyega were breaking the law.

The Civilian Secretariat of Police told parliament last month that there was only one police station, out of 156 checked, found to be 100% compliant with the act. It said “disappointing levels of compliance” had become a “persistent feature” within SAPS.

Repercussions of non-compliance are highlighted by evidence in court cases. In one, police failed to execute a warrant of arrest for an estranged husband who later raped his wife.

In another, a woman approached police and the courts after her former husband stalked, threatened and harassed her. They did not help her, and she and her partner were later shot by the man.

The letter said that in 2009 at least 55 women in possession of protection orders were killed by their partners. It also raised concerns of SAPS officers who are perpetrators of domestic violence.

“The shooting by Constable Ronnie Masie of four people, including his wife, at Alexandra Police station . . . only un- derscores the need to pay far more attention to domestic violence committed by members of SAPS,” it said.

Gauteng police commissioner Lesetja Mothiba has suspended three Alexandra police station officials after learning that Masie, who had a history of violence, tricked his way into getting a gun before killing the four people.

Nondumiso Nsibande, from Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre, said it was “terribly disappointing” that the police commissioner had not come out strongly against domestic violence.

Sanja Bornman of the Woman’s Legal Centre said domestic violence needed action from authorities rather than statements that it needed attention.

Francois Beukman, chairman of the portfolio committee on police, confirmed he received the letter and said SAPS and others would be asked to address the concerns next month.