A Centurion woman has opened a case of assault against a Lyttelton police officer after a violent altercation when she and three friends were pulled over at a traffic light on Batson Street.

Truida van Wyk and her friends were on their way home from a gathering on Sunday, April 24, when the incident happened at about 04:00.

Van Wyk claims that the police demanded they all get out of the car and the driver present his licence. Once they were all out of the vehicle, one of the policemen allegedly approached Van Wyk and struck her in the face with his elbow.

“It was dark and we were scared, but I did as I was told and he just came up to me and hit me for no reason,” she says.

“He hit me right on my eye socket and I was completely in shock and a lot of pain. I ended up falling to the ground.”

Van Wyk says the police called for backup and they were soon surrounded by four police vans.

The driver of the car Van Wyk was travelling in was taken into custody and Van Wyk and her friend drove back to her house.

Van Wyk, traumatised by the event and demanding justice, opened a case of assault at the Lyttelton police station the following Tuesday.

She is also consulting with a legal team.

“She is very traumatised by this event,” says her friend Magdalena van Antwerpen.

Lyttelton police spokesperson Dave Miller confirmed an assault case had been opened at the station.

“A whole group of people are involved in this case and it is under investigation,” he says.

“Three dockets have been opened at the police station – a case of assault, a case of drunken driving and a case of obstructing a police officer in the execution of their duties.

“We still have some witness statements outstanding but once we have those the case will be sent to the public prosecutor for a final judgment.”