Treat prisoners as ‘cockroaches’ – Deputy Police Minister

Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) has expressed outrage at the use of “derogatory and offensive remarks” by Deputy Minister of Police Maggie Sotyu during a memorial service for three slain officers.

Sotyu was speaking at the joint memorial service of constables Njabulo Buthelezi, James Seolwane and Celimpilo Hlabisa at the Vosloorus Civic Centre last week. They were recently killed in the line of duty in separate incidents.

She said the state’s strategic implementation plan must always intend to treat heinous criminals as outcasts. She added they must neither have a place in the society, nor peace in their cells. She said they must be treated as cockroaches.

LHR said Sotyu’s comments were not only insulting but “demonstrated an alarming lack of awareness” of the values set out in the Bill of Rights and the legislation regulating the treatment of detainees. “It is curious that she proceeded to deliver prejudicial and profoundly offensive stereotypes,” said LHR.

“Within the Bill of Rights is the right of everyone to security of the person, which includes the right not to be treated or punished in a cruel, inhumane or degrading way.

“It also provides that detainees are assured the right to be held in conditions that are consistent with human dignity.”

LHR added South African Police Service’s regulations and the Correctional Services Act made it clear that detainees – whether charged, convicted or sentenced – had the right to a certain dignified standard of treatment.

South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the commission was not aware of Sotyu’s remarks and therefore could not comment.