Randburg Police Head of Support Colonel Andries Odendaal addressed the media at the Randburg Police Station, Kensington B, on 16 February.
Odendaal said that it was too early to say if any of the officers would be suspended.
“We do not condone police action that goes outside the law,” he said.
Lana Stander was driving home at about 1am when she had an epileptic attack.
She “bumped” into another vehicle in Ferndale.
Randburg Police officers arrived and found her confused and off balance.
They allegedly did not conduct a breathalyser, but arrested her for driving under the influence, and reckless and negligent driving.
“I blacked out as a result of my epileptic medical condition,” Stander said.
“When I came by they were handcuffing me and throwing me against the car. One of the officers stepped deliberately on my feet and pinched me under the arm.”
The officers allegedly drove her to a facility where they beat her and kicked her.
Stander revealed bruises on her arms, and scars on her wrists.
She claims these were from the assault and tight handcuffs.
“When one of the police officers attempted to hit me again I defended myself by hitting her with the handcuffs and so blocking another attack,” she said. The officers then drove her to Randburg Police Station and left her in the back of the van while they slept in the front seats.
After they allegedly threatened her, Stander had another seizure.
She claims that although she was unconscious, two witnesses can verify that the officers dragged her out of the van and danced around her.
Stander was then taken to the holding cells at the station, where she was allegedly denied a phone call, and told that she could not take medication for her condition because she was drunk.
When she was finally released, her wallet was returned to her empty.
Her friend Bernhard Bekker helped her lay charges at Linden Police Station.
Stander and Bekker went to Randburg Magistrates’ Court for her charges, but State prosecutors said that she did not have to appear until more investigations were conducted.
Bekker commented that 14 of Stander’s human rights were violated, ranging from brutal assault and torture to refusing to provide medication.
They said that they will also lay charges for these violations against National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega and her office.
Stander’s girlfriend Tasmyn Adams said that Stander was “black and blue, and hard to look at “when she came out of Randburg Police Station.
Details: Randburg police 011 449 9000.
