Metro police probed for assaulting motorist at accident scene
Ekurhuleni Metro Police are investigating a case of police brutality, after a video of a police officer assaulting a young man, at a Sasol filling station in Cloverdene, on July 30, went viral, according to the New Age newspaper.
The newspaper reported that the video shows the police officer slapping the young man and also kicking him as he gets into a police car. –
The video of the brutality was apparently posted on YouTube by an eye-witness.
The man had apparently reversed his car and bumped into another car, belonging to a young man who is believed to be related to the officer.
The newspaper quoted the eye-witness as saying that, minutes later, a marked Metro Police VW Polo pulled up and the officer went straight to the victim and slapped him across the face.
The victim is seen on the video being assaulted and not fighting back, while onlookers watch the assault unfold, the newspaper reported.-
The victim was booked at the Crystal Park Police Station.
Crystal Park police spokesperson Tryna Maritz confirmed that the victim was arrested on July 30, at around 12.30pm.
“He was charged with fraud and driving without a licence,” said Maritz, who had no knowledge of the assault at theCloverdene Sasol garage.
The man appeared in the Benoni Magistrates Court on August 1, but his case was not placed on the roll as prosecutors had queries.
Metro Police spokesperson Wilfred Kgasago confirmed that the EMPD Integrity and Standards Unit is investigating the matter.
“Evidently, it is not permissible to assault drivers when responding to accident scenes,” said Kgasago.
