Man ‘attacked by racist military police’

A group of “racist” military police officers face arrest for assault in Centurion, Centurion Rekord reports.

They stand accused after a man in his 20s claimed to have been assaulted during a roadblock in Centurion on Saturday afternoon.

Councillor David Farquharson, who accompanied the man to the Lyttelton Police Station, said it was alleged the man was pulled over during a joint operation involving the Lyttelton police, Tshwane metro police and military police.

According to a message posted on ward councillor Ina Strijdom’s Facebook wall, two men were stopped by the military police near the Lyttelton police station.

“They searched them without identifying themselves, and they had an AK47. They stole cigarettes and a golf club then beat one of the men accusing him of keeping the club to kill their brothers. They were totally racist,” the post read.

The men were allegedly later taken to the police station, where they were advised to lay a complaint. They said the officer who advised them “informed us that what the military officers did was illegal and we should open a charge”.

In a statement to Rekord, Farquharson said he was upset at the alleged racist assault.

“I am pleased when joint operations take place but unhappy when law-abiding citizens are affected,” he said.

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Farquharson said he did not discuss the specifics of the case with the alleged victim for fear of being accused of instigating the complaint.

“I was concerned that if I did, I might be accused of influencing a statement,” he explained.

He said he was disappointed the Lyttelton police had initially not opened a docket but instead instructed the complainant to report the case to the military police.

“Without a case number, emergency doctors cannot complete an injury report. The case number was finally SMSed through about 11am, on Sunday – more than 24 hours after the alleged incident.”

Farquharson said he was pleased with the response from the SANDF, and how the police were addressing the complaint about poor service at Lyttelton Police Station.

A source with insider information told Rekord that the complainant’s vehicle was impounded because it was not roadworthy, he reeked of alcohol and was disparaging of the soldiers.

Lyttelton police spokesperson Captain Dave Miller said the assault was being investigated.

He also confirmed that the complainant’s vehicle was impounded by the metro police for not being roadworthy for which a fine was also issued.

– Caxton News Service

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