Middelburg SAPS denies involvement in viral assault

A shocking video showing a man being assaulted in the Middelburg Detective Branch office is circulating on social media.

Middelburg Observer reports that in the footage, the victim is seen being kicked while lying on the ground.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli says police officers were not involved in the assault. He confirms that Tshepo Eric Masemola was arrested on Thursday in connection with the incident. Masemola appeared in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court the following day on a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The case was postponed for a formal bail application this week.

“The investigation is still ongoing, and the police cannot rule out the possibility of an additional arrest,” Mdhluli states.

The victim, identified as Kenneth ‘Nkosana Prince’ Motsoane, was arrested on November 11 for suspected kidnapping and the pointing of a firearm. He has been in custody since and appeared in court for his formal bail application yesterday, with the case rolling over to today.

In the video, two men interrogate Motsoane in Zulu about the kidnapped victim’s whereabouts, to which he responds that he is unaware.

“The SAPS would also want to set 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,” adds Mdhluli.

According to him, Motsoane reportedly confirmed the police did not assault him.

“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 adds that after a case was opened by Motsoane, the police in Middelburg took him to a local hospital for medical assistance.