POLOKWANE – THE Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating a charge of police brutality by Westenburg police officials after four men alleged that they were wrongfully arrested and assaulted on a farm near Polokwane last Thursday.
Aubrey Monama, Kleinboy Mphahlele, Desmond Martin and Frans Thoka from Bergnek were arrested on allegations of stealing a trailer, a bike, a fridge, a plasma TV and a stove from a farmer’s house.
Monama alleged that they were handcuffed and assaulted with a hosepipe and electric cables. “They even hit me in the genitals with the hosepipe. The farmer was also there. He took out his knife and threated to cut my throat and the policemen just laughed. They locked us in the back of a police van and a man said to be a private investigator sprayed us with pepper spray while we were locked in the van,” Monama described. He added that he also had the registration number of the police van, which they had included in their complaint.
Martin said he was taken to the city’s cricket grounds where he was assaulted with electric cables.
Martin said they were released on Monday without any charges against them. “We have laid an assault charge with the IPID against the police and the farmer,” Martin said.
By the time of going to print, Westenburg police spokesperson, Capt Mohlaka Mashiane, could not confirm whether the criminal case against the four men existed.
However, he confirmed that a case had been opened against the police officials and farmer involved, and the Westenburg police had referred the matter to the IPID.
Speaking on behalf of the IPID, Grace Langa said they had received the case on Tuesday. “The case will be analysed and allocated to an investigator after which the investigation will begin,” she said.
