Top cops condemn police brutality
2012-03-16 20:02
Video
2012-03-16 09:25
The victim of a brutal attack at the hands of a Vaalwater policeman in Limpopo has spoken out. Watch what he had to say about the incident. WATCH
Johannesburg - SA Police Service senior management is appalled by video clips broadcast this week showing incidents of police brutality, the acting national police commissioner said on Friday.
"Such behaviour by police officers does not only bring the SAPS into disrepute, it also has the potential to negate the professional conduct and hard work done by the rest of our members," Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said in a statement.
He was responding to images of police beating people aired on television and circulating on the internet.
One such clip showed a police officer hitting and kicking Norman Mokau, 18, in Vaalwater, Limpopo. The alleged assault happened in November last year.
"We want to insistently state that our police officers are constantly reminded of the essence of respecting the rights of every individual, and that the fundamental purpose of policing is to ensure that all people in South Africa are and feel safe," Mkhwanazi said.
He warned that any officer who failed to abide by this would not be tolerated in the police force.
"Such officers must face the full brunt of the law and their incarceration must be a reminder to other police officers of the consequences of abusing their powers."
- SAPA