AN AMANZIMTOTI police officer, W/O Zamokwakhe Hlope will spend the next three years behind bars.
Hlope was found guilty of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and common assault and sentenced in Amanzimtoti Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 24 July.
He will effectively serve three years’ imprisonment for the assault and was fined R1,000 or two months in jail for the common assault.
The incident occurred on 28 May, 2011 at 1am along the R603, next to the Illovo municipal offices.
“The victim was walking with friends after attending a night vigil in B-Section Illovo. A police vehicle stopped next to them and the driver, Hlophe got out and started assaulting one of the victim’s friends,” said communications officer at Toti SAPS, Capt Charlene van der Spuy.
The victim and Hlope knew each other. “When the victim intervened by asking Hlophe why he was assaulting his friend, he turned on the victim and assaulted him, kicking him and hitting him with his fists. As a result of the assault, the victim was admitted to hospital for seven days with internal abdominal injuries.”
After the assault, Hlophe got back into the police vehicle and drove off, leaving the victim lying on the ground. “It was an unprovoked assault and a case was opened and registered. After a full investigation, he was convicted and sentenced on both counts.”
