WATCH: Cops stand by as man is assaulted in police station

The owner of private security officers claims road rage and being called a baboon is what led to him and a group of men assaulting a man in a Mpumalanga police station on Sunday, while at least two police officers simply stood by and watched.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Leonard Hlathi said district commissioner of Ehlanzeni, Major-General Dianah Mashele, has since assembled a team to investigate the conduct of the SAPS members on duty at the White River police station, who did nothing to prevent the assault.

A video of the farmer, who is reported to be called “Barend” being dragged and kicked inside the White River police station, while policemen do nothing to prevent the assault, has been posted on social media.

The owner of  private security company MAMRA security solutions and VIP protection Mathlatsi Maroga claimed he was insulted and called a baboon by their victim.

He told The Citizen the man intentionally reversed his car into him during a road rage altercation. He said that after bumping into his car, Barend drove away and a road chase began.

Barend’s fiancee, Delia Jordaan, told The South African they were simply trying to get away from the danger.

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“My fiancé knew we were in danger and needed to get out of there and reversed, smashing into the vehicle that was blocking our rear and then going off road, over the barriers to get out from behind the black Range Rover blocking our entry to the traffic circle.

“At this point the driver of the Range Rover went around the front of his vehicle to block us off, his firearm was drawn and pointing at us the entire time. In order to avoid him, my fiancé reversed away from him, smashing into his vehicle also. My fiancé went over the traffic barriers to get away from them – and started driving towards White River police station for our own safety,” she said.

Maroga denied allegations made in one of the couple’s videos that he and his employees were trying to hijack them. He said they only chased after them, after he snatched their phone which contained evidence of the accident.

Police have confirmed Maroga has since opened a case.

“A criminal case of malicious damage to property and crimen injuria has been opened against the man,” Hlathi said.

Police have also urged the victim of the assault to register a criminal case for investigation purposes.

Hlathi added that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been made aware of the incident.

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