A Mamelodi East family want justice for their son who was allegedly assaulted by the Mamelodi East police on 11 November.
The police are accused of the unlawful arrest and assault of matriculant Bafana Mitsenga (19).
Mitsenga’s mother Busisiwe said her son was taken in by the police to make a statement following an earlier brawl between Mitsenga, his friends and a neighbour.
Mitsenga said he had been pulled away from the brawl by one of his brothers, which had continued without him.
“Bricks and stones were flying and my mom’s and neighbour’s cars were damaged,” said Mitsenga.
“In the evening the police came to the house looking for me saying they only needed a statement from me.
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“My mother accompanied me. We were expecting to give a statement and then return home.
“However, the police told me I was under arrest for malicious damage to property.”
Busisiwe said she pleaded with the police to release Mitsenga as he was writing his matric exams.
“Instead they pushed me away and started hitting my son with their fists as they took him to the cells,” she said.
She said Mitsenga spent a night in the cells before he was released on R500 bail after she submitted proof he was writing an exam on the Monday.
She said the police claimed that Mitsenga assaulted an officer who had to be taken to hospital. However, the police denied Mitsenga any medical assistance when he was hurt.
“My son is now charged with assault on a police officer with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property and resisting arrest,” said Busisiwe.
“Police refused to open the case of assault against the arresting officers to protect their own.
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And they were rude because they clearly felt they were above the law.
I then demanded to speak to the brigadier [in charge] of the police station, who also refused to help me and told me that they (the police) should have arrested me as well.”
She said her son was traumatised and she doubted he would do well in his exams.
“He needs counselling,” she said.
“We eventually opened a case against our neighbour and when the the police came looking for him, he escaped and he is still on the run,” said Busisiwe.
Mitsenga was expected to appear before a magistrate on 10 January next year.
“I took him to hospital and his injuries were documented,” she said.
Mamelodi East police spokesperson Captain Michael Mbewe said he was aware of the case but could not comment because the investigation was by police watchdog, Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).
At the time of publishing, Ipid was yet to comment.
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