The manager of a Mbombela grocery store was allegedly severely beaten after refusing to pay a bribe during a traffic stop.

Mcedisi John Tibane (51) from Zwelisha Trust near KaBokweni was driving on Mohlala Drive when he came across a police roadblock at the Lihawu intersection at around 17:00 on Thursday, March 12.

Speaking from his hospital bed at Mediclinic Nelspruit, Tibane told Mpumalanga News that he was on his way to work a night shift when the police signalled him to stop his vehicle and noticed he was not wearing a seat belt.

READ: White River SAPS officer arrested for soliciting R1k bribe

“I must be honest with you; I was not wearing the seat belt, but that did not give the police the right to insult me and insist on a bribe,” said Tibane.
According to him, a female police officer asked for his driver’s license, which he produced.

“The police officer held on to my licence while instructing me to talk. When I asked what I must say she told me I must just talk because I was not talking enough. To me that was tantamount to soliciting a bribe,” explained Tibane.

“The officer told me that I was mentally disorganised and undermined the police and called other cops who started harassing me further. The group then manhandled me and beat me with fists, elbows and open hands,” he added.

During the assault, he said, he heard his 12-year-old son’s voice shouting from a Buscor bus. He explained that his son had been on a trip that afternoon and said the coincidence made the entire situation even worse.

“I did not expect him to have to witness his father being assaulted by cops like some kind of criminal. I was hurt inside and outside.”

Tibane was admitted to hospital and family members assisted in opening a case at the Nelspruit Police Station. The case was later transferred to Pienaar Police Station due to jurisdiction.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that a case was registered and reported to the Independent Police Investigation Directorate for investigation.

After nearly two weeks, Tibane was discharged from hospital on Wednesday, March 25. He said he remains angry and added that his entire family is undergoing counselling. “I just don’t want to see a police officer in front of me. They nearly killed me.”