'SA cops like Chinese torture'

2007-03-29 21:45

Pretoria - A Chinese businessman, who is suing Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula for more than R3.2m, claims his alleged torture was reminiscent of the police in Red China.

Centurion businessman Siyuan Liu, 48, claimed in papers before the High Court here that police unlawfully arrested him and his wife, their two sons, a grandson and another relative on November 11 2004.

The arrests were in connection with the disappearance of businessman Jia Bin Li, his wife Xin and daughters Rubi and Louise.

Liu and another Chinese national, Jiansen Bai, are on trial in Pretoria High Court in connection with the murders and abduction of the Li family.

'Family heard our screams'

Both have denied guilt and their trial is to resume next week.

The trial was delayed several times because their funds had run out.

Liu claimed police had not only slapped and punched him and his son after their arrest.

He said they also suffocated them with plastic bags and knelt on their backs while forcing their heads backwards until they passed out.

He claimed his wife, 14-year-old son and three-year-old grandson were held in an office and were forced to listen to their screams of anguish and pain while they were being assaulted and tortured.

"We are not proficient in English or Afrikaans, and need an interpreter to have a meaningful discussion in English.

Needless to say, the arrest and following events, combined with the language barrier, multiplied the stress associated with the arrest and subsequent court appearances.

"To say the very least, the whole experience was extremely frightful and still causes me trauma.

"The incident was reminiscent of the actions of police in Red China, who can basically do what they want with no consequences.

"It is standard practice in Red China for the police to assault and beat suspects.

Judge condones late filing

"It is a communist state and there is no law in Red China in terms of which a person can sue the police. No sane person would ever think of doing so," he said.

Liu claimed he only became aware that he and his family could sue the police for their pain and suffering, as well as the unlawful arrest and detention, when he was finally allowed to consult with his attorney.

Judge Lettie Malopa this week granted an order, condoning the late filing of the Liu's claim against Nqakula and the national police commissioner.

- SAPA