Issued by: Minister of Justice
STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF JUSTICE, DULLAH OMAR, ON HIS VISIT TO GUGULETU POLICE STATION ON 14 JULY 1998
Minister of Justice, Dullah Omar, has noted the criticisms by MEC Mark Wiley, in connection with Minister Omar's intervention at Guguletu police station on 14 July 1998.
On the night of 14 July 1998, Minister Omar received an urgent call requesting that he intervene. A large number of people had congregated at the Guguletu police station since 16h30 the afternoon. Three hours later they were still there with no solution in sight. Neither MEC Wiley nor any other senior representative from the Provincial Department of Community Safety or anyone else from the provincial government had put in an appearance.
Minister Omar was informed that the situation could get out of hand. As a result, he proceeded to Guguletu police station. He met with the local police and also with Area Commissioner Mpempe. Minister Omar told them that he was not the Minister of Safety and Security, nor the local MEC (who was nowhere in sight) and that if so required, he would leave again. However, if the police thought that he could be of assistance, he would be prepared to speak to the large number of people gathered there. Both Area Commissioner Mpempe and Station Commander Solomon agreed that Minister Omar should help to defuse the situation.
Minister Omar then negotiated with the local community and after further consultation with the police, put three proposals:
1. That the community elect a committee which was to meet with Area Commissioner Mpempe to address problems raised.
2. Minister Omar would submit a report to Minister for Safety and Security, Mr Sidney Mufamadi, who could then communicate with the Provincial MEC, Mark Wiley.
3. Because of the lack of confidence of people in the investigation into the Mbaso case, Minister Omar proposed that he request the Attorney General to co-operate with the Independent Complaints Directorate in the investigation of the matter.
The people present agree to the proposal and immediately elected a committee to meet with Area Commissioner Mpempe. They demanded, however, that there should be a report back within a week from the Committee. They then agreed to leave. Everyone dispersed without further incident and normality was restored.
During the episode, many asked why MEC Mark Wiley was nowhere to be found. A call was also made that when the report back meeting is held, he, Mark Wiley, should be present.
Minister Omar respects the line functions of different departments. He, however, proceeded to Guguletu in view of the crisis which had developed, and only intervened with the concurrence of the Station Commander and Area Commissioner.
MEC Mr Wiley must look at himself and his own failure to deal with the matter, His total unconcern with regard to the problems in Guguletu and the concerns of that local community is all too evident.
Issued by Paul Setsetse on behalf of Minister Omar
Cell: 083 252 4770 Tel: (012) 3238581/2 Date: 15 July 1998