THE Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) arrested three policemen in connection with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, house-breaking and theft in KwaMakhutha on Wednesday, 21 May.
The arrests were made as a result of an investigation launched following a report in the Daily Sun of the assault of a woman who had gone to KwaMakhutha SAPS to report the alleged rape of her daughter.
It was alleged she was assaulted after she had taken photographs of the police officers who had refused to assist her. The two constables, aged 32 and 33-years-old and a 45-year-old sergeant, are members of KwaMakhutha crime prevention unit.
According to IPID national spokesman, Moses Dlamini, the men were arrested in connection with three cases.
In the first case, which was reported in December 2013, it is alleged that the police were attending to a domestic violence complaint and they ordered the complainant to sign an interim order, after which he was assaulted by the sergeant.
The second, a case of house-breaking and theft took place in January. It is alleged the policemen were attending to a dispute between neighbours at Nkangala area, KwaMakhutha. The complainant was not at his place of residence and the police officers allegedly broke into his house and stole his music system. It was recovered at one of the police officer’s residence.
The third case involves only the sergeant. It is took place in March. It is alleged the complainant accompanied her child who was a rape victim to KwaMakhutha SAPS. The police refused to assist them and they were told to go to a hospital first, when apparently an argument ensued. The complainant took photographs of the police officers and the sergeant assaulted her and banged her head against the service counter in full view of other police officers.
The IPID launched an investigation into the assault at KwaMakhutha SAPS but came across the other cases and took them over for investigation. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) authorised the warrants of arrest and they were executed on 21 May.
They appeared in Umbumbulu Magistrate’s Court on the day of their arrest.to face charges of house-breaking and theft. The sergeant faces two additional counts of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
