The committee will spend the rest of the week collating information and preparing for two weeks of public hearings. During the first week from 21 to 25 August, evidence will be heard from members of the public. During the second week from 28 August to 1 September, staff of the Metro Police and City of Cape Town can testify.
After the hearing the committee will compile its report which it hopes to submit to Cape Town's Mayor, Helen Zille, by 15 September 2006.
Members of the committee met for the first time at the Civic Centre in Cape Town and will conduct its work from the City's Strand municipal offices on the corner of Main and Fagan Streets from tomorrow.
The committee is chaired by former magistrate Ian Yuill. He served as a magistrate for 16 years and is now a lecturer at the School for Legal Practice, affiliated to the law faculty of the University of Cape Town. Other members of the committee are :
The mandate of the committee is to investigate allegations that have been made by the citizens of the Helderberg region in order to establish what specific problems face the Metro Police services there, and to establish if any individuals in the force have misconducted themselves.
The Committee of Enquiry was announced after Mayor Helen Zille, Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security, Dumisani Ximbi, and the Sub Council chairperson, Demi Dudley had met with residents who made allegations of irregularities in the Metro Police in Helderberg.
Anyone can report any incident through a number of channels. They can phone toll free on 0800 696 969 between 08:00 and 16:30 on weekdays and use any of the three official languages in the Western Cape. Submissions and complaints can also be faxed to 021 419 7452 or sent by email to gail.bashley@capetown.gov.za . It is also possible to hand in written submissions on the first floor of the municipal offices in the Strand from 08:00 to 16:00 on weekdays.
Complainants can choose to give their contact details which would be helpful in further investigations. They can also choose to remain anonymous. Hearings will be public except where anyone supplies a valid reason why they wish to be heard in camera. City of Cape Town staff members may also submit complaints or submissions. They will be protected under the Protected Disclosures Act, No. 26 of 2000 ("Whistleblower's Act").
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Media queries:
Mr Ian Yuill
Chairperson
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