Johannesburg - The increase in police brutality and criminality is unacceptable, the FF Plus said on Wednesday.
“The minister of police, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, must explain and inform the public what he is going to do to stop brutality and criminality in the police,” Freedom Front Plus spokesman Pieter Groenewald said in a statement.
“Some members of the police think that they are above the law and are untouchable. It is scandalous and the minister should take full responsibility for the poor management of the police service.”
According to the annual Independent Police Investigative Directorate's report, released on Tuesday, the number of cases of brutality and criminality increased by 37 percent to 6 728 in 2012/13.
There were 696 deaths in custody in 2012/13 compared to 932 in the previous financial year. A total of 168 cases of rape in police custody had been lodged, compared to 40 the previous year.
Alleged police brutality came under the spotlight in February when minibus taxi driver Mido Macia was dragged behind a police van along a street in Daveyton, east of Johannesburg. He was later found dead in the local police station's holding cell.
Sapa