Two security officers, arrested in connection with an alleged scuffle that broke out between one of them and West Rand district police commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana, have been slapped with a string of charges.

The incident happened in the first week of September in Simunye, Westonaria, in Gauteng.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority’s regional spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, a video has emerged that allegedly depicts one of the accused in a scuffle with the top cop and his colleague. The second accused was allegedly taking a video of the incident.

Mjonondwane says that the two face charges of attempted robbery, assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, resisting arrest and crimen injuria.

She explains that the Simunye community erected a boom gate and appointed security guards to do access control.

“A top-ranking police official was visiting a friend when the security officer stopped him and wanted to search him. He refused and the security officer insulted him,” says Mjonondwane.

“The major-general warned the security officer but he did not listen. When the official phoned his colleague, a constable in the police, to come and assist, the security guard allegedly assaulted him,” she adds.

Mjonondwane says there was a long period of scuffling in the video, in which the security guard allegedly attempted to rob the constable of his service pistol, broke his wristwatch, and allegedly assaulted both of them.

She adds that in the video, the person alleged to be the second accused can be heard swearing and insulting both officers, in full view of members of the public. “More backup was called and the accused were arrested.”

The case was remanded to September 29, and both accused were released on bail of R1 000 each.