Ombudsman receives in excess of 700 complaints for the 2019/2020 Financial Year

MEDIA RELEASE BY JOHAN BRAND

Western Cape Police Ombudsman

Date 10 May 2020

Ombudsman receives in excess of 700 complaints for the 2019/2020 Financial Year

The 2019 /2020 financial year, which ended on 31 March 2020, marked a total receipt of 734 complaints for the Western Cape Police Ombudsman's office, bringing the total number of complaints received to 2619 since the inception of the office in 2015.  

The office received 70% more complaints during the 2019 / 2020 financial year compared to the previous financial year, with most of the complaints emanating from the Cape Town Metropole in the Western Cape.

We want to encourage all community members to keep lodging their complaints as our office remains open during the Covid-19 lock down period, although no face to face consultations are currently being conducted at our office, citizens are welcomed to lodge their complaints via email (ombudsman@wcpo.gov.za), through our website, or via telephone (021 483 0669). 

Mr Brand said:  "The increase in complaints received during the previous financial year, shows that communities are indeed more aware of the existence of my office.   However, I want to encourage citizens to lodge complaints of service delivery inefficiencies against the South African Police Service as well as the Cape Town Metro Police. Hopefully we can make a change in the lives of more people the Western Cape.

As the office of the Western Cape Police Ombudsman, we commend those agencies who are doing their best to keep the streets and our communities safe, and we encourage all to respect the rule of law during this time.

Media Enquiries 

Deidre Foster

Spokesperson to the Western Cape Police Ombudsman

0826985965