Pretoria - Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has instructed the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) to conduct a speedy but thorough investigation into the alleged shooting of a Soweto teenager by a police officer.
Thato Mokoka was allegedly shot by the officer on Tuesday night for being suspected of being in possession of an illegal firearm.
Mthethwa has instructed the ICD to leave no stone unturned in this investigation and ensure that it is carried out fairly and objectivity. He has already started demanding answers from police management.
"We are taking this approach because we want to ensure we do not prejudice or prejudge anyone person unjustifiably. Equally, we want to ensure that the harshest punishment is handed over to any police officer who is involved in brutality.
"We have emphasized the point that there is no place for tsotsi-cops in the service, police officers who abuse their powers, harass and murder innocent people in this day and age, are not deserving to be called police officers and must therefore face the full might of the law," warned Mthethwa.
He said he has now instructed the ICD to provide a comprehensive report on who did what, under what circumstances and what motivated such actions.
"If indeed the police officer, who is currently a suspect, is found to have abused his powers, I would expect serious and harsh steps to be taken against the officer... For now, let us afford the ICD [a chance] to do its work and await the final report."
The minister also extended his heartfelt condolences to the Mokoka family for the "unfortunate loss", highlighting that no amount of comfort words could begin to express how saddened he was upon hearing about the loss of the young person's life.
"On behalf of the police leadership, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family," Mthethwa said, reiterating that his department would ensure the matter was thoroughly investigated.
Meanwhile, the ministry has finalised the Independent Police Investigative Directorate legislation, with an express purpose of strengthening the ICD to curb and address any police brutality.
The new legislation will be enacted in the next two months and focuses primarily on enhancing the investigative powers and capacity of the ICD.
Mthethwa explained that whilst the campaign to rid the service of officers who were involved in criminality was on-going, they expected the ICD to come up with harsher recommendations, which must be implemented to the fullest.
"If police officers are involved in unlawful acts, we also expect that proper investigations are done and they face the full might of the law."
