Shocking video: Suspect assaulted in detective’s office – ‘not a police officer’
A shocking video where a man is clearly assaulted in an office of the Middelburg Detective Branch is doing the rounds on social media.
In the video, you can clearly see the man being assaulted. The people who assaulted him also kicked him when he was lying on the ground.
Brigadier Donald Mdhluli (Provincial Police spokesperson) made it clear that police officers did not assault the man. He also said that a suspect was arrested and charged in connection with the assault.
A statement was taken from the victim, and Tshepo Eric Masemola was arrested on the evening of November 28.
He appeared in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court the next day on a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous body harm.
The case was postponed to this week for a formal bail application.
“The investigation is still ongoing, and the police can not rule out the possibility of an additional arrest,” Mdhluli stated.
The person who was assaulted was Kenneth (Nkosana Prince) Motsoane. He was arrested on November 11 for kidnapping with an additional charge of pointing a firearm. He has since been in custody and appeared in court for his formal bail application yesterday. The case has rolled over to today.
In the video, two men ask Motsoane in Zulu where the kidnapped victim is. He replies by telling them he doesn’t know what they are talking about.
“The SAPS would also want to make the record straight that we do not condone vigilantism and taking the law into one’s hands as we remain true to our Code of Conduct, that of being professional when carrying out our duties, avoiding any conduct that violates the law and Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,” said Mdhluli.
He said Motsoane confirmed he was not assaulted by police officials.
“From what has been reported, the video was taken by a private person with his mobile phone within the premises and offices of the SAPS Detectives in Middelburg, and that particular person who recorded the video is subject to an ongoing police investigation.”
Mdhluli also mentioned that after the case was opened by Motsoane, the police in Middelburg took him to the hospital for medical assistance.
Viewer discretion advised
After footage surfaced capturing the assault of a detained man, the SAPS confirms that the incident occurred in a detective’s office, but no police officers were involved.
Read more here:https://t.co/Yv1T34qD4e pic.twitter.com/Csee6Ls2pB— Middelburg Observer (@MiddelburgNews) December 3, 2024
