Nigerian man accuses cops of assault (video)
A Nigerian national has opened a case of assault against Kempton Park police after he was allegedly assaulted by police at his complex.
According to Emeke Ikotu’s wife, Sibongile Mkhize, the incident occurred on December 7 when police were searching his friend’s flat in the same complex in Kempton Park, in Gauteng’s East Rand, Kempton Express reported.
The incident was captured on cell phone video and shows Ikotu pinned to the ground, with a police officer pressing his knee into the Nigerian national’s neck while a group of other officers surround them.
The friend apparently asked Ikotu to come and collect his phone and flat keys before being arrested.
“This was when police accused my husband of interfering and beat him up before arresting him too,” Mkhize explained.
Police spokesperson Captain Jethro Mtshali said Ikotu was arrested for allegedly interfering with police officers while they were performing their duties, and added 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,” Mtshali said.
Ikotu was arrested for intimidation, defeating the ends of justice and interference, and he was released the next day.
He reportedly sustained injuries to his cheek, shoulder and lower leg, and he later accused the police of taking a watch and R1 500 from him during the alleged 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.
Read more: Police brutality caught on camera (warning – graphic)
In March last year, video footage emerged of what appeared to be two uniformed police officers, David Gunn and Gerrit Januarie, kicking and beating a naked man believed to be a Nigerian national in the middle of a street in Cape Town.
Gunn was later dismissed from the police after disciplinary action, while Januarie resigned before disciplinary action could be taken against him.
Watch the videos here.
– Caxton News Network
Read original story on kemptonexpress.co.za
