Right2Know Western Cape supports the call for independent, public inquiry into Khayelitsha police failings.

The people of Khayelitsha and South Africa have a right to know why police stations in Khayelitsha have the highest rates of murder, attempted murder and aggravated robbery in the country. The Right2Know Campaign will be joining the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) march to Parliament at 12h00 today to reject attempts by the Minister of Police to block the commission of inquiry into Khayelitsha policing and call for the the O’Regan/Pikoli Commission of Inquiry to begin their work in earnest.

This case is an important symbol of how our right to know is deeply rooted in struggles to achieve all other rights, including the right to safety and security. It is only through an independent, public inquiry into the crisis of policing in Khayelitsha that civil society and government can begin to address these challenges.

Throughout South Africa’s history, the poorest communities of our country have been marginalised in every sphere of public life. This denial of basic services is painfully evident in Khayelitsha, where the absence of law enforcement results in daily murder, rape, assault and robbery.

The breakdown of community policing forums and the rise of vigilantism raises deep questions. The Right2Know does not want to imagine what the Minster and his police force have to hide. The Minister must withdraw his opposition to the commission so our imaginations can rest and the truth can be told.

For more infoation visist http://safecommunities.sjc.org.za/

For comment from the Right2Know Campaign contact our Western Cape spokesperson: Nkwame Cedile (078 227 6008)