The leader of the Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape, Andrew Whitfield says they have called on the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to investigate the failure of Police Minister Bheki Cele and his team to deploy enough police officers to service the communities of Gqeberha.
Whitfield, the party's Shadow Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development, Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, and Provincial Chairperson, Yusuf Cassim, gathered outside the Gelvandale Magistrates Court in Gqeberha on Wednesday to provide an update on their campaign for justice for Emilio Hutchinson.
Last month, three-year-old Emilio and two other family members were gunned down in what is believed to be a gang shooting.
The toddler's aunt, who witnessed the shooting is currently in witness protection for a gang-shooting case that is being heard in the city's High Court.
The DA has also tabled a Private Member's Bill in Parliament, which aims to change the way witness protection is being dealt with in the country, as Emilio's aunt has received death threats.
Breytenbach said the Bill will offer better, wider, and more efficient protection to witnesses in the program, as well as for their families by providing them with the finances to make a living while their loved ones are in the program.
Wednesday's demonstration outside court was also symbolic as the DA said it would be the place where perpetrators would face the community once they are caught.
Whitfield said: "We have laid a complaint against Minister Bheki Cele, the National Police Commissioner, and the South African Police in terms of their obligation to ensure the safety of people."
He said it is time for the people of Gqeberha to be prioritised and for adequate police officers to be deployed especially to the gang-ridden northern areas.
"We have an anti-gang unit here which comprises members of police stations in the northern areas. When needed, they go to other places in the province, leaving our communities without protection," he said.
Whitfield said crime statistics for the third quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year, highlight the shocking increase in NMB crime rates between 2019 and 2023:
• murder rate increased by 40,08% (from 257 to 360 per year)
• carjacking rate increased by 86,86% (from 175 to 327 per year)
• kidnappings increased by 127,03% (from 37 to 84 per year).
• Between 2018/2019 and 2022/2023 and according to the SAPS’ Annual Reports, the police personnel distribution in the Eastern Cape has decreased by 12,02%, from 18,652 members to 16,410 members.
Read also: https://www.algoafm.co.za/local/triple-murder-rocks-gqeberha-family
