This Zimbabwean man says he was beaten by law enforcement officers. Photo by Tariro Washinyira.
9 June 2014
A 40-year-old Zimbabwean man fleeing from robbers was allegedly attacked in the grounds of his home in Van Eyssen Street Parow by a group of Law Enforcement Officers last week.
The man was running away from what he thought were thieves when he left his workplace in Voortrekker Road at about 19h00. Subsequently he was followed by men in blue uniforms. He says they shouted at him to stop.
He continued running till he reached his home and barged into the toilet for safety. When he realised they were law enforcement officers he left the toilet. He says the officers then started to hit him in the stomach until the people he lives with intervened.
GroundUp was in the area and heard the noise and went to investigate.
When GroundUp got there, the officers said the man had refused to stop when they had asked him to.
When this reporter tried to take photographs with a cell phone, one of the officers tried to confiscate the phone. A resident snatched the phone and hid it away. Other officers yelled, “Why are you taking photos?”
A woman told the officers to “mark this house for future raids because there are foreigners staying here.”
The officers drove away in a car with the number plate CCT31832.
Aleck Kuhudzai, a former candidate attorney who practised criminal law says, “By law, the officers are allowed to pursue suspected criminals. The complainant was supposed to stop since the officers were wearing their uniforms. However officers’ brutality is unlawful. The complainant could open an assault case. And apart from opening an assault case he can report the officers to the City Ombudsman.”
But the man who was assaulted—and did not want to be named—said the officers should have identified themselves as police. He is reluctant to open a case because he is a foreigner.
“They acted like criminals. Sound people would not have attacked me in my home, especially after the people I stay with told them I am not a criminal. They did not search me and find dangerous weapons or illegal stuff with me. There are a lot of criminals out there. The officers do not even attempt to arrest them but are abusing vulnerable people like me.”
The City of Cape Town’s Executive Director for Safety and Security, Richard Bosman, said they were taking the allegations that were raised very seriously.
He wrote, “The complaint is being investigated. This includes determining the context of what happened, establishing who was driving the vehicle (which officers and department), obtaining statements from witnesses, obtaining statements from those involved, and examining all evidence. Once we have more information, we will be in a position to take action if required. If the officers are found guilty of misconduct, disciplinary action will be taken.”
He also wrote, “Residents are encouraged to report any alleged or suspected misconduct to the City via the dedicated anti-corruption hotline on 0800 32 31 30. They should also report such matters to the South African Police Service for investigation.”