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The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the strongest terms condemns the police brutality displayed at a service delivery protest in Hout Bay in the Western Cape, where a fourteen-year-old boy was allegedly shot in the mouth by security forces.

We are appalled that the young boy was not only shot at once, but several times! It means the officer/s had intended to do grievous bodily harm.

This incident is a throbbing reminder of many South Africans who have died because of the police’s use of excessive force. We are reminded of Andries Tatane who died in 2011 at the hands of the police while protesting for his rights. After so many years of democracy, the Country still suffers from the police brutality we experienced during the Apartheid era.

This is gravely concerning and the continued incidents of police brutality against protesters cannot be allowed. The UDM has called for intensified police training, especially with regards to the Police Service’s code of conduct, and a revision of the curriculum, to enhance overall levels of competence and capacity.

Officers who make themselves guilty of abusing their positions of trust, should not be defended; they should face the full might of the law. In addition, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate cannot only investigate; officers must account for their deeds.

The UDM demands that the police officers, who on the video appear to be shooting at the boy, must be dealt with definitively.

We wish the boy a speedy recovery.

Issued by UDM