While most people celebrated Freedom Day rejoicing about the advances South Africa has made as a democracy, Thobani Mvelase was nursing wounds and waiting in a doctor’s surgery for an analysis of an assault he suffered.
It was allegedly at the hands of the people who are meant to serve and protect – the police and more specifically the Public Order Police unit.
Mr Mvelase who was a former National Freedom Party (NFP) councillor serving under Imbabazane Local Municipality, recently joined the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and believes this spurred the brutal beating he allegedly received on the night of April 26, Freedom Day eve.
Speaking on behalf of Mr Mvelase, IFP Chairperson in the Umtshezi Constituency Mthembeni Majola said that police allegedly descended on Mr Mvelase’s home in the Dutch area in Ntabamhlophe at about 10pm.
“The police jumped over the fence and knocked on the door. Mr Mvelase saw via the surveillance cameras he has at his home that it was police and willingly opened the door to them. They told him that they were looking for illegal firearms, which consisted of an AK47, R4 and R5. They proceeded to search the house, without a warrant from the court. They found nothing,” explained Mr Majola.
Police, allegedly not satisfied with their search, the proceeded to reportedly assault and choke Mr Mvelase.
“This went on from 10pm until midnight when Mr Mvelase fainted,” commented Mr Majola.
The following day Mr Mvelase accompanied by infuriated IFP members went to the Estcourt Police Station to speak to the Station Commander. A case was thereafter opened at the Ntabamhlophe Police Station.
Police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane confirmed this.
“A case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm has been opened and is being investigated by police. Once the investigation is complete, the case docket will be presented to the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision,” he said.
Meanwhile trust in police is dwindling, so says IFP leader Mr Majola. He believes that police officials are being manipulated by political parties to victimise individuals whose political views differ.
“Their intention was to kill him and this is not the first time. In September last year, Mr Mvelase was also assaulted in his home but that case was settled out of court. We are expecting protection from the police but instead they are attacking us illegally,” added Mr Majola.
