/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Minister of Police Bheki Cele has confirmed, in response to questions from GOOD Party MP Brett Herron, that an investigation into the behaviour of police outside Newlands cricket ground during the South Africa versus India test match, on 4 January, is underway.

Social media posts that day showed members of the police preventing a peaceful protest calling for justice in Palestine, and stopping a would-be fan from entering the stadium because of a message on his t-shirt expressing support for Palestinians.

Herron asked Cele why police intervened in the protest, what laws they were enforcing, how their actions aligned with the constitutional right to protest, who instructed them to stop the protest, and whether he believed their actions could be termed legitimate police work. 

In a written reply, Cele said: “An investigation has been initiated and an outcome is pending. The details of the investigation cannot be divulged at this stage as this may compromise the integrity of the investigation.”

Cele’s reply was counter-signed by National Commissioner of Police Fannie Masemola.

Herron said he welcomed the fact that the matter was being taken seriously.

“Besides South Africans’ constitutional rights to gather and protest, Cape Town is the murder and gang capitol of the country. There are many more useful things for police to do than harass a peaceful protest,” he said.

Issued by Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament