Man accuses police of misconduct
Police allegedly forced man to sign a statement to saying he is withdrawing assault charges against “gangster” and friend.
A Laudium man has fled his home after being stabbed in a fight, which he said was not being investigated by the police.
José Moos (22) claims after he was attacked by a known gangster, two Laudium police compelled him to sign a statement he had not read.
“I have just discharged myself from Kalafong hospital when after a few days the police officers came to my house with the men who stabbed me. They made me sign a statement exonerating my attackers,” he said.
“They said if I do not sign it, I would go to jail,” said Moos.
He said he was not given the opportunity to read the statement in which he conveyed his intention to withdraw assault charges against the gangster and his friend.
Moos said his troubles began in September while he was visiting friends. The gangster and his friend approached them and an argument between his friends gangster’s group ensued.
“When we tried to break of the fight, one of the guys started stabbing me and his friend joined him. My friends rushed me to hospital where I was in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a month.”
“The men still came to the hospital wanting to know how I am doing and intimidating my friends. Due to this and the police working with these men, I had to move from home.”
Police spokesperson Captain Louise Reed Steynberg said two charges of grievous bodily harm had been laid at the Laudium police station.
“During the fight that broke out both Moos and his friend were stabbed. A case of grievous bodily harm was opened against the suspects. Later another case of grievous bodily harm was opened by the suspects where Moos was now the suspect.”
Steynberg said that both investigations were continuing.
“Moos’ charge against the two men was sent back to the investigation officer for additional statements from the witnesses. The witnesses, which are all family, refused to give statements They alleged Moos was still in contact with the friends of the attackers.”
Steynberg said in the case against Moos, a summons was issued by the court for him to appear in court. This could not be served to him as his current address was unknown.
The summons would be served on him once he was found.
Steynberg rejected Moos’ claim that he signed without being able to read its contents. He gave the statement out of his free will, she said.
“Moos was required to give an additional statement as all the facts of the incident was not clear from his original A1 statement. Moos gave the statement out of his free will and signed it under oath.”
Steynberg said Moos’ aunt refused last week to give a witness statement, but emphasised that two investigations were continuing.
Moos said he had not heard anything from the police since, adding he was afraid to return to his Laudium home.
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