By OBAKENG MAJE
A man is disgruntled after he alleged that Taung Police Station failed to assist him. Amogelang Itumeleng from Magogong village, near Taung alleges that he was assaulted by four Nigerians after accusing him of robbery.
Now, Itumeleng said he fears for his life because these ‘suspects’ continue to harass him.
“On 26 January 2021, I was assaulted by four foreigners claiming that I robbed them of a cellphone. On the very same night, my friends went to the Taung Police Station to seek help. Unfortunately, the police who attended the complaint did nothing on their arrival, instead, they instructed me to go and lay a charge at the police station the following day.
“Indeed, I went there to the police station the following day and I was given a J88 form (I still have it today) to be filled by the doctor and nurses who attended to my injuries at the hospital,” he said.
However, without outlining reasons, Itumeleng alleged that the doctor and nurses refused to fill in his J88 form.
“The case was opened, but there was no follow-up till today. The only thing I wish to see now is justice to be served so those foreigners could leave me alone. They are still coming after me on daily basis with death threats too.
“I am not safe where I am and I blame the police for this. They know the side of my story very well, and the only thing I am asking from them is to take a step and hand this matter to the court so that justice could be served,” said Itumeleng.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said: “A case of common assault was under investigation at Taung Police Station. However, the victim could not identify the four perpetrators.
“So, the case was withdrawn by the SPP on 25 February 2021 and the victim/complainant was informed by the Investigating Officer. If new information comes to light, a case can be re-opened at any time and the investigation can continue.”
Myburgh further said the police management is committed to professional service delivery. She said if any problems are experienced, the communities are advised to contact their local station commanders.
According to the www.saps.org.za website, the SAPS Service Complaint Centre, which forms part of the Component: Inspectorate Analysis Centre and Service Complaints at the Division Inspectorate is in place to help the community to receive optimal service delivery and reduce complaints against the police.
“The aim of the process is to redress and investigate a dissatisfaction or disappointment experienced by any person or an organisation, locally, regionally, continentally, or internationally, in relation to an action or inaction regarding the service that was rendered or supposed to be rendered by the SAPS represented by its employee(s).
“Besides for complaints to be dealt with on an individual basis, an aggregation of all complaints is also done with a view to identify trends through analysis, of which the findings are then utilised to inform management to effect corrective action,” the statement said.
It says complaints can vary from poor service delivery regarding communication, response, investigations, police negligence, police misconduct and complaints against the SAPS Management or members and general complaints.
“For easy referral when reporting a complaint, the “Minimum complaint information” required includes, but is not limited to – Full names and surname of the complainant; Identity number, residential/business address, telephone and cell phone numbers and email address.
“Also provide a description of the complaint including the province in which the complaint originated, the name of the police station, the case number (if applicable), details of the SAPS employees involved, etc.”
Complainants may submit a complaint directly by visiting your local police station community service centre (CSC), Station Commander, District / Cluster Commander’s office or Provincial Complaints Coordinators: Inspectorate.
OR you can contact us on the following:
| Province | Telephone No | Cell No | Fax No | Email Address |
| Eastern Cape | 040 608 7078 | 082 301 8275 | ComplaintsEC@saps.gov.za | |
| Free State | 051 411 7804 | 071 412 2391 | 051 411 7816 | fs.inspect.nodal@saps.gov.za |
| Gauteng | 011 274 7786 | 082 442 2000 | 011 274 7792 | gpcomplaints@saps.gov.za |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 031 325 5951/ 4886 | 079 877 6536 | 031 325 4952 | kzn.complaintscentre@saps.gov.za |
| Limpopo | 015 293 7186 | 072 149 9927 | 015 293 7187 | Lim.complaints@saps.gov.za |
| Mpumalanga | 013 249 1429/ 1430/ 1435 | 082 565 6447 | 013 249 1426 | complaints.mp@saps.gov.za |
| Northern Cape | 053 802 7416 | 063 686 5236 | 053 832 2374 | ncprov.complaint.saps@saps.gov.za |
| North West | 018 299 7057 | 082 856 0995 | 018 299 7922 | nw.inspect.complaints@saps.gov.za |
| Western Cape | 021 409 6535 | 082 469 7721 | wcmi.complaintsnodalpoint@saps.gov.za |
Although it is advisable for any person to lodge a complaint at respective local police stations, when all attempts to get assistance from a station or provinces have failed you, you can contact the National Service Complaints Call Centre on 0800 333 177 or fax to 012 393 5452 or email” complaintsnodalpoint@saps.gov.za
Please note: 10111 is only used for crime-related emergencies and not for service delivery complaints against the SAPS.
The Guardian 