DURBAN - THE Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has resolved to use other means of identifying eight Tshwane metro police officers who allegedly sjamboked three civilians.
Spokesperson Grace Langa said on Monday that Ipid had expected the officers to come forward but they had not.
“We have expected them, as law-abiding citizens who understand the law, to co-operate with us and come forward and give us their side of the story on what really happened on the day that victims were assaulted. The suspects elected not to come forward,” she said.
Langa said Ipid members went to the suspects’ workplace but could not identify them.
The department would ensure that the victims received justice and the perpetrators were brought to book.
Langa said the assault took place on October 2, when the three men had gone to the Tshwane Impound Vehicle Centre to collect their car that had been impounded.
It is alleged that Siyabonga Masimula, Odwa Mafanya and Bheki Shiba found the gates locked.
The officers who allegedly assaulted came from the streets.
Langa said: “On arrival, they demanded to get their vehicle, and out of nowhere, about eight metro police officials came out and assaulted them. They sjamboked them, and they all sustained injuries. They even went to hospital. The matter is under investigation.”
She said the matter was reported to the police watchdog body last Wednesday.
Ipid held a meeting with the victims on Thursday.
In a video taken after the assault, one of the victims says they were assaulted for no reason, and turns to the camera to show his injuries.
“I’ll go to Bheki Cele if I have to. They can’t beat us, these people. They don’t have a right. Tell this thing I’m going to Bheki Cele. What am I supposed to say to my child when I get home with one eye that can’t see? They undermine us. We never fought those people.”
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