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Western Cape police chief reverses Muizenberg commander's promotion

Published

Delmore Manuel loses his promotion to colonel and his post as Muizenberg station commander after public outcry. He and two other officers are accused of assaulting and torturing a Mowbray barber, and they have not been convicted.

Western Cape Police Commissioner Sizakhele Dyantyi withdrew the promotion of Manuel from lieutenant colonel to colonel. She also removed him as commander of Muizenberg Police Station. The outcry started because he was promoted while he faces criminal charges.

The charges come from a raid in November 2023. Manuel and two other officers are accused of assaulting and torturing a barber in Mowbray. The three remain on duty while they wait for their trial, which is set for May next year.

Dyantyi said people had not fully declared what was happening in relation to the promotion.

Key facts

Who
Sizakhele Dyantyi (Western Cape Police Commissioner); Delmore Manuel (Police officer, former lieutenant colonel promoted to colonel, removed as…)
What
Manuel's promotion from lieutenant colonel to colonel was withdrawn and he was removed from Muizenberg Police Station after public outcry over the promotion while he faces criminal charges. Manuel and two other officers are accused of assaulting and torturing a Mowbray barber during a November 2023 raid; they have not been convicted and remain on duty awaiting trial scheduled for May next year.
When
21 October 2026
Where
Muizenberg, Mowbray, Cape Town
Status
Reported

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