A distraught Sibongile Mkhize contacted EXPRESS, claiming her husband, Emeke Ikotu, had been assaulted by Kempton Park SAPS members at their complex on Long Street on Sunday, December 7 at about 11am.
She also brought EXPRESS a video of the incident taken by bystanders. The cell phone footage shows a police officer pressing his knee into Ikotu’s neck while he is pinned to the ground.
“Why must police humiliate and degrade my husband just because he’s Nigerian? If they want to arrest Nigerians, why must they first assault them? Why can’t they just arrest them?” she asked.
According to Mkhize, on the day, police were searching Ikotu’s friend, Morka Obi’s, flat in the same complex.
“He called out my husband’s name and asked him to come and collect his cell phone and flat keys before being arrested. This was when police accused my husband of interfering and beat him up before arresting him too,” she explained.
Ikotu sustained injuries to his cheek, shoulder and lower leg.
Kempton SAPS spokesman, Capt Jethro Mtshali, said Mkhize’s husband was arrested for allegedly interfering with police officers while they were performing their duties. He said the police did not promote any form of brutality.
“Her husband has already laid assault charges against the police and the matter is under investigation. The police view the alleged conduct in a serious manner and will ensure that corrective measures are taken,” he said.
Ikotu was detained in a cell overnight and released on December 8. He was given a detainee certificate outlining that he was detained for intimidation, defeating the ends of justice and interference.
Ikotu also accused the police of taking his watch and R1 500 while they pinned him to the ground during the assault.
Mkhize said she did not know why her husband’s friend was being arrested and that it did not matter, because her husband was not involved in any illegal activity and did not deserve to be assaulted.
“My husband is a good man. I have been married to him for eight years and we have children. South Africans must stop stereotyping, as not all Nigerians are drug dealers,” she said.
