ACTIVIST Debbie Els has been a regular at the pro choice and anti-vax protests and even though she was badly injured during a scuffle between the crowd and police that she now is wheelchair-bound.
She has vowed to continue to take up the battle against mandatory Covid-19 vaccines.
While six of these protests were held this year mostly at Sea Point promenade, last month on October 9, was the first demonstration that turned violent and protesters were arrested.
Since then Debbie Els, founder of the Stop Farm Murders/Attacks Movement, has been in and out of hospital and even suicidal at times.
She said she had sustained multiple injuries during the scuffle with the police. Els said she was trying to defend another protester who had a child with her, when she was injured.
“I ran to see if I could help him and they (the police) ran to hit me with a baton. Three police officers attacked me from behind.
“It was so chaotic, they continued hitting us. I fell and got up and they continued hitting me,” she said.
Els recalls hearing a police officer saying: “You can keep on with your peaceful protest, just don’t antagonise the police”.
A J88 document, a legal form completed by a doctor, confirmed that her injuries include a fracture on her left knee, with a torn meniscus and bruise on her forearm. The document further confirms that Els’ injuries are consistent with “assault and use of a blunt object and considerable force”.
The document also shows that two of Els’ vertebrae in her lower back are fractured.
Els said she is in a lot of pain and struggles to walk, and is wheelchair-bound because of her injuries.
“I am in and out of the hospital, I am depressed and traumatised by what happened and I don’t know how to navigate this.
“I don’t know what to do and I feel so helpless, trying to comprehend all of this that has happened to me,” she said.
Els said the incident has occasionally led to her feeling suicidal.
“I’ve felt like I wanted to throw myself over my balcony, but my work on earth is not done. I need to keep doing what I’m doing,” she said.
Els opened a case at Cape Town police station, which was forwarded to Sea Point police station, the area in which the protest was hosted.
“I went with my attorney, Tamara Victor, to the police station. We were told that it is being investigated at Sea Point police station,” she said.
Due to the injuries sustained, Els has been unable to work and was grateful for the financial support she’s received.
“My family is paying my hospital bills along with donations I received from my followers,” she said.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson Grace Langa, said that a case was opened and brought to their attention.
“We have allocated the matter to an investigator who will resume with the investigations,” Langa said.
Els said police brutality against people needed to stop.
“Innocent people are getting hurt fighting for their rights. I was trying to save a child,” she said.
She added: “We must stand up and not fear the police. We will come and protest for our freedom and never give it up.”
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said two men, aged 25 and 51, were arrested that day for failing to wear a mask in public, contravening the Disaster Management Act.