CAPE TOWN - The woman injured during an anti-vaccination protest in Sea Point at the weekend says she will lay a charge of assault against police after she was allegedly hit with a baton in the face.
This as two men, aged 25 and 51, are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates Court next month after they were arrested at the same protest on the Sea Point Promenade on Saturday.
The injured woman, who wanted to be identified as Noleen, was part of the protesting group and said she was “traumatised” by the incident.
Speaking from the hospital, Noleen said she was in the process of getting a J88 form to have the matter formally reported to police.
The woman said she had tried to assist a child to get away from police when she was struck.
“This was completely uncalled for. I was trying to defend a child who was there with his father. I tried to protect the child who was wandering when police hit me in the face with the baton. I was wearing my mask at the time,” she said.
In video footage circulated, Noleen showed her bloodied face. Another woman was seen with bruises to her arm after she had also allegedly been pushed by police.
“At the previous protest, police had come with water canons and this time came in full riot gear. They had arrived there with an agenda to hurt someone when there was no reason to. I believe this is a cause worth fighting for,” said Noleen.
Spokesperson for the antivaxer movement Clay Wilson said the incident was ’’regrettable’’.
’’We have always been respectful to the SAPS mandate of ’situational policing’. (Saturday) the protesters were told to disperse. We are in the process of finding out exactly what were (Saturday’s) orders regarding policing our protest. Until then we will refrain from making official statements as a group but can assure members of the press and SAPS that we will be there again next Saturday.’’
Pro-choice protestor Debbie Els said the event was a freedom march.
“I was attacked and beaten by police and had to go to hospital. The two men arrested (were) not part of the peaceful gathering, they were bystanders.”
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said the two men were arrested on charges of failing to wear a mask in public, contravening the Disaster Management Act.
“Both were released on a warning to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates court on November 17 on the mentioned charges.”
Cape Times