Former cops request to be reinstated

LYDENBURG – The attorneys of three of the six former police officers who were arrested and convicted by Lydenburg Regional Court on November 20, 2013 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, have requested that the National Police Commissioner reinstate them in their respective ranks.

This follows their successful appeal in the High Court on February 26 this year and the dismissal of their sentences at the Lydenburg Regional Court. Ruthven Burger Kraft Inc, attorneys acting on behalf of former

WO Johannes Motau, Const Vuma Mgwambi and Const Lehlabanela Mahlako, wrote a letter to the National Police Commissioner and Provincial Police Commissioner submitting their request.

Motau, Mgwambi and Mahlako were arrested together with Mr Jurry Mashego, Mr Vusimuzi Maphanga and Mr Egypt Manzini for allegedly assaulting a suspect in the holding cells after being arrested on a charge of armed robbery. During the suspect’s arrest on April 25, 2009 he sustained some injuries and was treated.

On April 29, 2009 the above-mentioned six former officers received information that the suspect had a cellphone with him in the holding cells. When he refused to hand over the phone, a struggle ensued and some officers and the suspect were injured. The suspect again received treatment complaining of pain to his scrotum. During a subsequent operation his testis were removed.

On February 26 this year the appeal against the police conviction and sentence succeeded and the order of the trial court were set aside. All six men were found not guilty by the High Court.

In the letter written by Ruthven Burger Kraft Inc stated that, “It is our submission that all three of our clients’ convictions were set aside. It is therefore requested that you reinstate all three our clients in their respective rankings and thereby restoring the status quo as on November 20, 2013.”