Kyoko Kimura Morgan, Clovelly
The headline news from last week, “Video captures alleged police brutality”, was horrifying, but I was so thankful for the courage of the young woman who took the video, and it is great that the case has been reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID ).
Recently, I have heard of two cases of police brutality from my friends who live in two separate townships, one near Capricorn and another near Delft.
Neither of them had heard of IPID. Even after I explained to them, they were too afraid of retaliation and also did not have enough evidence to report the cases.
There is an urgent need for ward councillors and schools to highlight the importance of using this system, especially for vulnerable people who face police brutality on a daily basis.
And it is important to make the system user-friendly. For example, the reporting form should be printed and kept at a library or community centre. I would also like to ask the Echo to have an article explaining IPID’s work.
Some police officers are abusing their power because they know the people are too afraid to report police brutality at a police station. Those police officers who abuse their power know many people are ignorant of IPID.
And when the justice system that is supposed to protect people fails, many people resort to vigilantism out of desperation. This is when good people commit atrocities.
I would like to ask everyone to find out more about IPID and share the information. If more of us get courage and report police brutality, we will be able to stop the abuse of power and restore the respect for the justice system including the SAPS.