Over 4,000 people wrongfully arrested during past financial year - Mchunu
More than four thousand people were wrongfully arrested in South Africa during the 2023/24 financial year.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu revealed the figure in a written reply to Rise Mzansi’s parliamentary question.
Rise Mzansi's Makashule Gana said this amounts to an average of 11 cases of wrongful arrest being registered with the police every day.
"Moreover, these cases carry claims worth more than R2-billion. Although the Minister of Police has put forward the caveat that this is not the amount that would potentially be paid to claimants. He offers no further explanation in his written reply.”
Gana said wrongful arrests are one of the reasons why police officers suffer from a lack of trust.
"It is therefore important to understand this phenomenon in full by putting the matter on the [police] portfolio committee’s agenda and for it to intervene where necessary.”
Mchunu acknowledged that the current situation is unacceptable.
"The ministry is fully aware of the need for a thorough review of these incidents. The issue will be addressed as part of the agenda in an already scheduled meeting with legal services this coming Friday, where we will discuss necessary steps to ensure accountability and prevent further occurrences.”
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