THE BARRAGE. – A case of common assault was upgraded to greviously bodily harm (GBH) after a family and relatives lodged a formal complaint with the Gauteng MEC for Safety and Security, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane.
Four suspects were arrested and briefly appeared at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court before they were released on warning. The matter was postponed for further investigation and for the suspects to apply for legal representation.
The Dadadhay and Choonara families said the Barrage Police officers failed to act with immediate effect after two minors were allegedly brutally assaulted.
The suspects allegedly beat, broke the nose and dislocated the elbow of one of the minors. “This was a racial spat as the adult male suspects made some racial remarks towards the children,” said Riaz Choonara.
The boys aged 16 and 18 said all hell broke loose when they mistakenly tampered with the fishing rods of the suspects while fishing.
The man then apparently called them, ‘f*** kulies.’
Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Simon Mofokotsane, confirmed an arrest was made a few days after the incident.
He could not deny or confirm that the suspects were arrested after the intervention of the MEC.
Riaz Choonara said that the police took very long to react. He said the family were told the suspects could not be arrested “as they come from respected families.” Investigations are ongoing.
