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Cops, warders face trial delay
30/01/2007 13:47 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The case against 32 police officers and prison warders who allegedly assaulted a unit commander during a protest was postponed in the Vanderbijlpark magistrate's court on Tuesday.
The case was postponed to February 13 for further police investigation, said Vaal Rand police spokesperson Inspector Trudie Wilken.
The group were released on Monday night and warned to appear in court on Tuesday to face charges of assault, trespassing, contravening the Police Act and disrupting police services.
The protesters, all members of the police and prisons civil rights union, Popcru, were arrested on Monday at the Vaal Rand flying squad headquarters in Vanderbijlpark.
The assault allegedly happened during a protest calling for the removal of unit commander Superintendent Poosha Moodley and her relocation to another department over claims of racism and victimisation.
Wilken said two grievances, one collective and individual, against the commander were under investigation. The grievances were lodged by unit members and outlined complaints of racism and victimisation.
Monday's protest began at 09:00 and continued until East Rand crime combating unit were called in and the group were arrested shortly after 14:00, she said.
"The entire demonstration took place in the administrative block in her office - they actually pulled her out of her office and pushed her."
Gauteng SAPS deputy provincial commissioner Henriette Bester met with the provincial Popcru secretary Matsemela Matsemela at the location in an attempt to diffuse the situation.
Wilken said police legal advisers had asked protesters to leave the offices so that flying squad members could return to work. The protesters were warned they would be arrested if they did not evacuate.
After they refused, Bester gave instructions for the arrests.
The 32 had not been suspended from duty but a separate internal department investigation was under way, Wilken said.
- SAPA
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