Ministry still deciding on appeal
2013-01-28 19:01
Cape Town - The police ministry is still contemplating
whether to approach the Constitutional Court over the establishment of the
Khayelitsha commission of inquiry.
"We are still considering that. We are to engage
with the legal team and no final decision has been reached on the
process," police spokesperson Zweli Mnisi said.
"We will issue a statement by late this afternoon
[Monday] or maybe tomorrow."
The Social Justice Coalition (SJC) earlier said
Nathi Mthethwa's legal team contacted it on Monday to ask for an address to serve
Constitutional Court appeal papers at.
"They are serving the papers on our correspondent
attorneys in Johannesburg. It is expected today but I wouldn't be surprised if
it's tomorrow," SJC lawyer Sanja Bornman told Sapa.
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille established the
commission in August last year to investigate the state of policing in the Cape
Town community, following a spate of vigilante killings by Khayelitsha
residents.
Zille tasked the commission with investigating
allegations of a breakdown in relations between residents and police members.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa approached the Western
Cape High Court late last year for an urgent interdict against the commission's
establishment, arguing it would affect the independence of the SAPS.
His application was dismissed in mid-January.
The commission had been due to complete its work and hand
in a completed report by 24 February.
Commission secretary Amanda Dissel said this work would
not be completed in time because of the complexity of the issues being dealt
with.
It planned to begin with its hearings towards the end of
February and would announce dates closer to the time.
It had written to Zille asking for an extension of the
deadline for the submission of its report.
Zille's spokesperson Zak Mbhele said on Monday the
premier was still considering the request.
"We are considering the request for the commission's
timeframe to be extended by another six months to August. We need to look at
the budgetary implications of doing that," he said.
The commission had invited Khayelitsha residents to visit
its local office between 09:00 and 13:00 on weekends, until 28 February, to
make statements.
Those who could not make it during the week were invited
to make an appointment on Saturdays.
- SAPA
