Police officers were caught on camera viciously assaulting a member of the public.
Image: screenshot
A video of police officers assaulting a woman on the premises of a police station has gone viral on social media.
The video, which takes place at the Heidedal police station in Bloemfontein in the Free State has caused an outcry over police heavy-handedness.
This was after a member of the public came to report domestic violence, but instead, she was viciously attacked.
In the over two-minute video that was caught on CCTV, a woman is seen coming into the video frame and a female police officer slaps her across the face. Followed by another woman, in full uniform, pushing her towards the outside entrance of the police station but the woman is trying to fight back.
The officers then start pushing the woman out.
A third officer, a man, is seen following the altercation as the woman is pushed outside of the gate. She tries to hit back but disappears out of the frame due to a tree.
The female officers can then be seen pushing the woman against the fence and it seems the woman and the police officer holding her fall to the ground.
The female officer, who also fell, is seen dragging the woman back onto the premises by her collar, dragging her on the floor as the two other officers follow. The woman continues to fight back, and one officer can be seen with her SAPS shirt open.
Video footage caught the police officer pushing the woman to walk while both her hands were clasped around her neck.
Image: screenshot
In the next angle, the woman is seen being thrown onto the floor inside what looks to be the station’s charge office, with the female officer placing her foot on the woman’s face.
The male officer walks off, the second female officer attempts to hold the assaulted woman’s legs while the other officer steadies her hands against the wall and stands with both feet on the woman. The male officer returns to place handcuffs on the woman who still continues to be kicked by the two other women.
She is lifted, shoved around, and taken away.
In another angle of the police station, the woman is being taken away but still receiving direct hits to her face by the police officer. The female officer continues to take the woman away, this time, she is seen leading the woman by having both her hands around her neck.
In a statement released, the provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said the provincial commissioner was aware of the video.
“The SAPS views these allegations with the utmost seriousness. The matter is currently under investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), and, simultaneously, internal investigations are under way to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” Makhele said.
Police management said it acknowledged the outcry from the victim and the broader community who have expressed deep concern and called for the immediate removal of the police officers involved.
“We understand and respect these concerns. However, it is important to clarify that in accordance with our labour laws, there are established legal and procedural frameworks that govern the suspension or removal of members from their duties. Such actions can only be taken following the outcomes of formal investigations, which will inform management’s decisions appropriately,” Makhele said.
Free State police commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane said while the SAPS does not condone any form of misconduct or abuse of power by members, it is equally vital to uphold principles of fairness and due process.
Motswenyane said this included allowing the involved members to provide their side of the story. Understanding the full context, including events that may have occurred before the incident captured in the video, is crucial for a comprehensive assessment.
The spokesperson for Ipid, Phaladi Shuping, confirmed the ongoing investigation and said the incident occurred on January 19, when the woman went to the police station to request officers to intervene in a fight between herself and her boyfriend.
“An argument allegedly ensued between the victim and the two female police officers, and she was allegedly assaulted. She later reported the incident to Ipid and the case is under investigation and the investigations are at an advanced stage. Once Ipid concludes the investigation, the docket will be handed over to the prosecutors for a decision,” Shuping said.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
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