SJC seeks equal policing for all in city

THE EQUALITY Court case on police resources in poor black communities which was scheduled to proceed this week was postponed when respondents requested more time to file heads of argument in the matter.

The case was brought to court by the Social Justice Coalition, Equal Education and the Nyanga Community Policing Forum against the minister of police, the national commissioner of police, the Western Cape police commissioner and the Western Cape MEC for community safety.

The NGOs approached the court to seek a declaration that the system used by the SAPS to distribute resources unfairly discriminated against black and poor people on the basis of race and poverty.

They want the court to declare on the SAPS Act, which

The respondents been in contempt

grants provincial commissioners the power to determine the distribution of resources between stations within their province, including permanent posts.

On the national level, the parties want the court to compel the minister and the national commissioner to re-evaluate the Theoretical Human Resources Requirements system used to allocate human resources. With regards to the provincial commissioner, the applicants want the court to compel the province to develop a provincial plan addressing the allocation disparities.

“The Social Justice Coalition (SJC) and our co-applicants Equal Education and the Nyanga CPF are disappointed the SAPS has further delayed the matter. The respondents have caused numerous delays and have twice been in contempt of two court orders,” the organisation said in a statement.

“Given the far- reaching national implications of the court case on the right to life, bodily integrity, dignity and the right to equality for those living in poor and working-class black communities, the SJC hopes there will be no further delays,” the statement read.

The SAPS had not responded to questions at the time of going to print.

noloyiso.mtembu@inl.co.za