The Boksburg North police officers accused of attempted murder, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice were granted bail of R5000 each at the Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court on February 10.
This was the third court appearance for Constables Sakhile Mathaba, Mlondolozi Khalipha and Nkateko Hlogwane and Sergeant Sibusiso Shabangu.
Six police officers from the station were arrested at work on February 1 by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
According to the IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping, these four were initially charged with assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm and defeating the ends of justice. The officers are expected to return to court on March 3.
They are accused of assaulting and torturing a Nigerian man on January 9.
Suping stated that the victim and his friends were approached by the police officers who demanded to see their identity documents.
When the victim could not produce an original copy of his documentation, he was taken to the police station and allegedly assaulted and tortured by the officers.
“The victim was taken to hospital for medical attention and was in a coma for nine days,” explained Suping.
• Two other police officers were arrested for an unrelated incident, involving the theft of cables from a Boksburg North scrap yard, and were granted R3 000 bail each.
They appeared in court on February 2. The court case was postponed to February 3, then March 9.
They face charges of copper theft, defeating the ends of justice and common robbery. The officers allegedly forced their way into the premises and robbed the owner of the cables.
