Cape Town - A police officer charged with attempted murder for allegedly assaulting a taxi driver by hitting him with a torch and punching and kicking him, has pleaded not guilty.
Rondebosch Police Station constable Marshello Plaatjies appeared in the Wynberg Regional Court last week.
Taxi driver Suleiman Baker alleges that Plaatjies seriously assaulted him in an office at Rondebosch police station on April 28, 2011. The alleged incident occurred after Baker was taken into custody for questioning following an alleged assault and attempted robbery in his taxi.
Police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk said: “A complainant was assaulted inside a taxi by a taxi guard and a woman and thrown from the moving taxi. The complainant alleged that they attempted to rob her inside the taxi. A description of the taxi was given to all SAPS vehicles.”
Van Wyk said Baker’s taxi was pulled over by Rondebosch police officers at a service station and Baker was detained.
“They were charged with attempted robbery and kidnapping. The suspects were positively identified by the complainant. One of the complainant’s shoes was discovered inside the taxi,” Van Wyk said.
He said Baker later lodged a complaint that he was assaulted by two SAPS members at the police station.
Mohamed Salie, Plaatjies’ attorney, confirmed the charge had changed to attempted murder when his client appeared in court.
Salie said there were material contradictions” in Baker’s testimony. Baker testified that he had given a man and a woman known as “Donkie and Kayleen” a lift.
On their way to Wynberg he had picked up two women passengers. Donkie and Kayleen had attempted to rob the passengers but the women jumped out of the moving taxi.
Baker alleged that after his arrest he was also tasered after being drenched with water.
“The medical evidence does not bear out Baker’s evidence that he was assaulted all over his body, save for a fractured rib,” Salie said.
Salie also submitted that Baker had pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. “Baker is simply a dishonest witness,” he said.
The case will be back in court on October 12.
Cape Times