Western Cape Police Ombudsman

The Western Cape Police Ombudsman aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the police services and to improve relations between the police and the communities by investigating complaints of police inefficiency and / or a breakdown of relations between the police and any community.

Our team

Our dedicated team will provide you with an impartial and independent opportunity to lodge complaints relating to allegations of poor service delivery received from the South African Police Service (SAPS)  in the Western Cape.

The office was established following the enactment of the Western Cape Community Safety Act or 2013.

The legal authority for its establishment is to be found in Chapter 11 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa particularly sections 206(3) & (5) read with schedule 4 of the Constitution on “Functional areas of concurrent national and provincial legislative competence".

Whilst the office of the Police Ombudsman is established in the Department of Community Safety in terms of section of 10(1), its independence and impartiality is guaranteed by section 14(1) which states: "the Ombudsman and staff members of the Ombudsman must serve independently and impartially and must perform their functions in good faith and without fear, favour, bias or prejudice, subject to the Constitution and the law".  

Who can lodge a complaint?

1. A member of the public, including foreign nationals and tourists visiting the Western Cape who are dissatisfied with the service of the police.
2. Any member of the Provincial Parliament.
3. Organised Civil Society.
4. Any other Department or Organisation.