Johannesburg -Reports that two policemen stood by when a Muslim man was attacked in Magaliesburg last week should be investigated, the DA said on Monday.
The party would write to the Independent Police Investigation Directorate (IPID), asking it to conduct the probe, DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard said.
“The IPID must investigate the conduct of these SAPS members and provide answers to the community as to why these police officers did nothing,” she said in a statement.
“The simple answer that they were off-duty is not good enough.”
Muhammad Fayaaz Kazi and his friend Anser Mahmood were at a Chicken Licken outlet in the town last Monday when they were attacked by two men.
Kazi apparently confronted them for insulting him about his beard. A fight broke out. Kazi died in hospital on Tuesday.
Rapport newspaper reported that two police officers were at the scene when Kazi was attacked, but refused to help as they were off duty.
Kohler Barnard said the two officers should have arrested the men on the spot.
“This is not conduct befitting those who are supposed to protect us and keep us safe,” she said. - Sapa