DA shocked by police brutality
2013-03-15 17:27
Johannesburg - The DA says it is shocked by the latest
case of alleged police brutality, in which a court interpreter was dragged
alongside a car for 100m in Setlopo Village, Mahikeng, in North West.
DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard said on Friday that President
Jacob Zuma and Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa had failed to show leadership on
the issue.
"The [SA Police Service] is past crisis point, and
the South African public must know that the president and the SAPS leadership
take this matter seriously."
She said there had been no response from Zuma on a call
for the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry into police
brutality.
"Since our request for this commission more than a
week ago, there has been no action from the president."
Earlier on Friday, Mthethwa's spokesperson Zweli Mnisi
told SABC radio news that the incident was embarrassing and disgusting.
He said the "issue of command and control" at
police stations needed to be looked at.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID)
said on Thursday that a North West police officer had been arrested for
allegedly assaulting a man in Setlopo Village in Mahikeng, and dragging him
alongside a police vehicle.
The man, a court interpreter at Molopo Magistrate's
Court, was called over to the police vehicle after speaking to a boy who had
allegedly been harassed by the same officers moments earlier.
A 36-year-old sergeant was arrested on Wednesday, and was
due to appear in court on Friday, said IPID spokesperson Moses Dlamini.
- SAPA
