Ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge was allegedly assaulted, threatened with a firearm and verbally abused by the officer while doing a routine check on policing in the town.
The assault occurred on Monday evening, 30 December after Toti station commander, Col Den Mkize expressed concern to Cllr Beetge regarding the lack of municipal lighting at one of the beach parking areas.
Although on recess, Cllr Beetge committed to look into the matter. Accompanied by his spouse, he went to inspect the area. He noted three Metro Police vehicles attempting to enforce bylaws in the vicinity of the darkened area, but no SAPS patrol vehicles.
When he went to report in at the police station, he found the SAPS vehicles clustered at the station and the officers in both uniform and civilian attire having a braai.
“I took a photo of the braai with my cellphone and immediately came under attack,” said Cllr Beetge. “The senior member on duty, a warrant officer in civilian attire, stormed out of the community centre and without any communication, threatened to arrest and incarcerate me. He drew his service pistol, pointed it at me and threatened to shoot me dead.”
The officer allegedly confiscated the councillor’s cellphone and car keys and pushed him up against the car, while continuing his verbal abuse and swearing. He assaulted the councillor by head-butting him in the face. After further threats of violence and throwing his car keys and the cellphone at Cllr Beetge, he allowed him and his wife to leave.
Cllr Beetge’s injuries were confirmed at a local hospital and a case of crimen injuria, pointing of a firearm and assault has been registered with the SAPS, in addition to being reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) in Durban.
“This type of extreme aggression on the part of SAPS officers is being reported by innocent civilians in many areas of South Africa, and unless the Minister of Police makes some effort to get his officers under control, fewer and fewer citizens will even consider ever turning to the SAPS for assistance,” said Cllr Beetge.
The DA has called for the immediate suspension of the officer, pending the outcome by the duel investigations of the SAPS and the IPID.
When the Sun sent queries to the KZN SAPS media centre, it was referred to the Amanzimtoti police station, that in turn referred the Sun back to the media centre.
