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#JusticeForEmilio: SAHRC must investigate humanitarian crime crisis in NMB

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Dear Editor

The DA has submitted an official complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) urging an investigation into the failure by the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, the National and Provincial Police Commissioners and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to protect the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay from the tidal wave of violent crime sweeping across the Metro.

Today I was joined by DA Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach MP, and DA EC Provincial Chairperson, Yusuf Cassim MPL, at the Gelvandale Magistrates Court in Gqeberha to announce our request for an investigation. (see pictures here, here, here and here)

Crime has spiralled out of control in NMB and gangsters and violent criminals are running rampant, killing unchecked due to the failings of an under-capacitated and understaffed SAPS.

The bloodbath in NMB is a humanitarian crisis because residents are being denied their Constitutional rights to life and dignity.

Section 205 of the Constitution sets out SAPS’ constitutional obligations which are to: prevent, combat and investigate crime; maintain public order; protect and secure the inhabitants of South Africa and their property. Minister Cele and the SAPS have clearly failed to fulfil these obligations in NMB.

A recent global report named Nelson Mandela Bay as the most dangerous city in South Africa and the ninth most dangerous in the world and it is our women and children that are bearing the brunt of this violence.

We, therefore, request that the commission investigate the alleged human rights violations and ensure that the Minister is held to account and forced to capacitate the police to protect the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay.

Crime statistics for the third quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year, highlight the shocking increase in NMB crime rates between 2019 and 2023:

  • murder rate increased by 40,08% (from 257 to 360 per year)
  • carjacking rate increased by 86,86% (from 175 to 327 per year)
  • kidnappings increased by 127,03% (from 37 to 84 per year).
  • Between 2018/2019 and 2022/2023 and according to the SAPS’ Annual Reports, the police personnel distribution in the Eastern Cape has decreased by 12,02%, from 18,652 members to 16,410 members.

The DA has repeatedly written to Minister Cele to intervene in NMB and capacitate the police, but to no avail. Last month we submitted a memorandum to the Minister demanding immediate intervention after three-year-old Emilio Hutchinson was murdered in his home in Helenvale. We gave the minister 14 days to respond to the memorandum, which was sent to his office on 29 April 2024, but no feedback was received.

More than a month has past since Emilio’s brutal slaying on 16 April and we cannot allow his life to be in vain. The DA will fight for justice for Emilio and will not rest until the police brings his killers to book.

After the 29 May National and Provincial Elections, a DA government will rescue the people of Nelson Mandela Bay and South Africa from the violent crime that is destroying their lives.

Regards

Andrew Whitfield MP
DA EC Provincial Leader

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