A JMPD officer was seen clearly slapping a person in public on 20 May at a Newlands scrapyard.
According to JMPD spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, “The officers went to inspect the scrapyard dealer for allegedly having lamp poles and street signs in his possession.”
During this alleged inspection a JMPD officer assaulted a customer of the shop.
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Bruno Ragghianti, chairperson for the Florida, Newlands, Quellerina. Bergbron and Northcliff Community Policing Forum (FNQB CPF) said, “Some of my patrollers were called to the shop to respond to a call of a Metro officer assaulting a guy in the shop.” He continued, “I came to the scene just after 12pm, after hearing of this issue, I networked with other community forums like the Sophiatown Neighbourhood Watch (NHW).”
On arrival at the scrapyard, “We were informed that a Metro officer had assaulted someone. We called the Sophiatown Police to assist with this matter. The Metro officers then apparently assaulted the owner’s son in a back room (with a violent punch against a wall) and pushed our men around,” said a member of the Sophiatown NHW. The member added that the SAPS officers refused to arrest the Metro officer and then proceeded to perform acts of intimidation toward the CPF members.
Warrant Officer TJ de Bruin, spokesperson of Sophiatown Police said, “The Metro officer followed the suspect to his office, he waited and knocked but the suspect refused to open. The CPF was called and the suspect was forced to open the door. The son and the suspect were then assaulted. They found traffic lights and road signs in the suspect’s possession however, he was not arrested.”
Supt Minnaar commented, “Apparently there was an allegation of pushing and shoving when the officers went to inspect… if there is misconduct by the officers, a formal complaint can be lodged with Internal Affairs of the JMPD.”
At the Sophiatown Police Station the concerned CPF and NHW members were advised to lodge a complaint with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IDIP). According to the CPF and NHW members JMPD internal affairs went to the property in question and will be viewing the CCTV footage shortly.
