KZN Premier calls for probe into Chaka’s Rock manhandling of child by peace officers
In a statement released by KDM municipality today, the officers were cleared of any wrongful actions.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has called for an urgent investigation into the alleged abuse of a four-year-old child during a scuffle involving municipal peace officers at a complex at Chaka’s Rock on Sunday morning.
The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows KwaDukuza municipality peace officers allegedly trying to drag the screaming boy out the complex while his father tries to pull him from them.
One of the fathers who captured the incident on his phone told the Courier that about 10 officers arrived at the complex to arrest him and several other families for failing to comply with the lockdown regulations.
The officers were responding to a complaint after several families had been seen on Chaka’s Rock beach at around 7.30am. The families with their children were already on their way home when the officers arrived to arrest them.
ORIGINAL STORY: Father speaks out after viral video sees KDM traffic cops accused of manhandling child over lockdown violation in Chaka’s Rock, Ballito
Zikalala has instructed Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Bheki Ntuli and Cooperative and Local Governance MEC Sipho Hlomuka to launch an urgent investigation into the alleged incident and provide him with a report.
“As the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government we do not condone any form of abuse against citizens, especially children, during the Covid-19 national lockdown,” said Zikalala.
The Premier said that while municipal peace officers have a responsibility to maintain peace in their neighborhoods during the lockdown, the abuse of children would not be tolerated as it is a violation of the Constitution.
“Our country’s Constitution promotes special protection for children because they are among the most vulnerable members of society.
“We appeal for cool heads during this difficult time and also appeal to our people to respect the regulations of the lockdown to prevent any unnecessary confrontation with law enforcement officers,” he said.
In a statement released by KDM municipality today, the officers were cleared of any wrongful actions.
Eleven people including an 88-year-old man and his 81-year-old wife were arrested and charged with contravening the lockdown regulations.
They were released on R1 000 bail and are scheduled to appear in court on August 10.
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