Emido Macia died in February, last year, after he was tied to a police van and dragged several metres before being taken into custody, where he later died.
National police commissioner Gen Riah Phiyega announced yesterday that eight police officers from the Daveyton Police Station, who were involved in the death of Macia have been dismissed.
“I am pleased with the outcome of what was a very thorough process,” said Phiyega.
Consts Lungisa Chalmers Gwababa, Bongani Kolisi, Percy Jonathan Mnisi, Bongumusa Mdluli, Sipho Sidwell Ngobeni, Mbongeleni Thamsanqa Ngema and Warrant Officers Alfred Linda Sololo and Mishack Malele were found guilty of various charges, including failing to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of Macia, the common law offence of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, having failed without justification to disclose knowledge about the incident to the SAPS or to take reasonable steps to help the SAPS to acquire knowledge of the assault and/or cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of Macia, giving false statements or evidence in the execution of their duties and arresting the victim under circumstances where he should not have been arrested.
The ninth member, who was initially charged with the other eight, was acquitted of the charges as he was found not to have been present during the time of the incident.
Phiyega said she wants every SAPS member to know that she will fight to the hilt for them if they do their work in accordance with their rescripts and code of conduct.
“That is why we have introduced a reward system to recognise police officers who go beyond the call duty to assist and protect members of the public,” she said.
“Those who do not do their work in accordance with our prescripts and who commit acts of criminality, can expect to find themselves outside the SAPS.
“Together with the leadership team, we have resolved not to tolerate criminality within the police.
“We want to offer a service which is professional, caring and respectful towards the human rights of the suspects with whom we are in contact.”
Phiyega indicated that there was no excuse for the conduct of the members involved, saying: “The death of Mido Macia at the hands of these police officers has negatively affected the reputation of the SAPS and the sanction of dismissal is, therefore, welcomed, and we believe it will send the correct message to other officers.
Phiyega said the act brought the South African Police Service into disrepute, both locally and internationally.
She added that management acted swiftly with the departmental investigation.
To this end, all nine of the members allegedly involved were immediately suspended without pay pending the outcome of the departmental investigation.
This brings the number of police officers who have been dismissed from the SAPS this year alone to 70.
The criminal matter in respect of the Mido Macia case is underway in the Delmas High Court.
The accused last appeared in court on May 26 and they are expected to reappear on February 16, when they will have to answer to a case of murder.
