Saps summoned to explain leak of Krugersdorp rape victims’ details

The Information Regulator has issued a summons to the South African Police Service (SAPS) on details related to the release of personal information of the Krugersdorp rape victims by the police.

This follows failure by the Saps to provide sufficient detail regarding the circumstances that led to the disclosure of eight women’s personal information who were raped by a mob in West Village, Krugersdorp on 28 July 2022.

Spokesperson, Nomzamo Zondi said after the horrific incident the leaking of the victims’ personal information – including home addresses, names and other personal information – constituted interference.

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“Following this incident, the regulator says it was made aware that the personal information of the victims, including their names, ages, home addresses and the nature of the violations against the victims, had been shared via the WhatsApp platform, allegedly, being leaked by Saps officials.

“For the regulator this constitutes interference, by Saps with the protection of personal information of data subjects (the victims),” Zondi said.

In order to determine whether Saps has interfered or is interfering with the protection of personal information of the data subjects, the regulator issued an Information Notice in terms of POPIA Section 90 to Saps.

The regulator is demanding that Saps furnishes it with the certain information, including; the purpose for drafting the WhatsApp message and the identity of those individuals, to whom the WhatsApp message was circulated (detailing a list of names of recipients, their job titles, employer/s and cell phone numbers to which the message was circulated).

“The regulator also demands information regarding the date/s on which the message was circulated to the recipients; the time and date when the WhatsApp message was circulated beyond the group it was intended for, and the identity of the individuals to whom it was sent,” Zondi said.

The regulator says for it to conduct a thorough investigation the Saps must confirm if the message was circulated in any other format or platform (not WhatsApp).

“Lastly, the regulator needs the Saps to provide it with a report by the Information Officer of Saps recording that the processing of the identities of the rape victims was in compliance with the processing conditions of POPIA and a report on Saps’ investigation into the circulation of the personal information of the victims,” Zondi said.

The regulator had requested the SAPS to provide it with this information by 15 August 2022, however, it requested an extension of time to respond to the Information Notice and granted an extension to 24 August 2022. However, on 24 August 2022, Saps only furnished information for one of the items in the Information Notice.

Saps indicated that it could only provide further information once they have finalised their investigation but did not give an indication as to when they anticipate the investigation will be finalised.

The regulator found Saps response to have been inadequate, hence the decision to issue a summons for the information demanded by the regulator for the purposes of the investigation.

“We do not take kindly to the non-responsiveness or inadequate responses to issued Information Notices by responsible parties, because this interferes with the regulator’s ability to conduct investigations into reported matters or those initiated by us.

This has a serious inditement for the regulator to provide necessary recourse to the victims of whom the right to privacy was possibly violated,” said Advocate Pansy Tlakula, Chairperson of the regulator.

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