A Tshwane metro police officer punched a man after arresting him for reckless driving in Lynnwood Manor on Thursday, a bystander said.
The eyewitness, who asked not be named, said the officer told the man: “I am the law. Today, I will teach you a lesson.”
Jonathan Baker was forced off the road by a Tshwane metro police vehicle and a Tshwane metro police motorcycle, said the bystander.
“Jonathan refused to get out of his vehicle and he was manhandled by officers who surrounded his vehicle. I heard him tell the officers that they broke his key when they tried to remove it from the ignition.”
The eyewitness said Baker remained calm and respectful towards the officers throughout the episode.
He was slapped around before being put into a police van.
“After they put Baker in a police van, the officer who said he was the law, pulled open the door and punched the man three times and closed the door again,” the witness said.
“What they did was not right. They never even gave him an explanation as to why he was being arrested.”
Another witness, Ria David, who works nearby, confirmed that the officers were aggressive towards Baker.
“He did not want to get out of his vehicle and I do not blame him because there were several officers and they were all very aggressive.”
Sanet van Breda, Baker’s lawyer from Swart, Redelinghuys & Nel Attorneys, said he would be transferred to an unspecified police station in Allandale by 21:00 on Thursday.
“He was not granted bail by Garsfontein police station, as they stated that they did not have the jurisdiction for that decision. They assured us that he will be transferred by 21:00 tonight,” she said.
“Baker confirmed that he had visible marks on his face.”
Tshwane metro police executive director Console Tleane confirmed the arrest of a motorist who he said failed to obey the instructions of police officers to stop on the N1 highway.
“It is an offence in terms of the SAPS to defy a lawful instruction from an officer. We are not aware of the claims. As far as we know our officers did not physically beat the arrested motorist.
“Anyone who claims to the contrary must make such claims through formal legal procedures, which will be to make a statement under oath. The normal processes of testing the statement will then follow. We will be glad for the witness to identify him/herself so that we do not speculate on someone we do not know. The witness and motorist are free to open cases under oath, either with the SAPS or TMPD,” Thleane said.
Yet, when David wanted to make a statement and lay a complaint against the Tshwane metro police at the Garsfontein police station she was refused help.
A Rekord reporter who took pictures of the arrest was arrested himself. He was taken to Garsfontein police station and was released after being forced to delete the pictures he had taken. He too was turned away when he attempted to open a case of unlawful arrest.
Also read:
Rekord journalist unlawfully arrested by Tshwane metro police
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