East journalist ‘assaulted’ by SAPS, TMPD officers

“Machate was allegedly clubbed with a torch and kicked all over his body at his home in the east of Pretoria.

Liam Ngobeni

October 31, 2018

38-year-old journalist Frans Machate showing the spot on his head where he was allegedly hit with a torch. Photo: Liam Ngobeni

A 38-year-old Pretoria east journalist is seeking legal recourse against the Tshwane metro police and the SAPS after about 15 officers allegedly assaulted him in the early hours of Wednesday.

The incident took place at his home in a gated complex in Equestria, east of Pretoria around 01:30.

Frans Machate, still in his blood-soaked T-shirt, told Rekord he suffered a deep gash in his head sustained during the incident.

He has opened a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property against the officers at the Silverton police station.

Describing the alleged attack, Machate said the perimeter wall to his house was broken down, the burglar door was forcefully removed from the hinges, and the main door to the house was smashed open by the rifle-wielding officers.

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His wife and children aged 13, four and two months, witnessed the alleged attack.

Machate said the five CCTV cameras located around his house were all tilted upwards in positions he would never leave them in. He accused the police officers of tampering with them before the alleged attack.

Machate claimed that when the officers entered his home, four accosted him and cuffed him without informing him why he was being arrested. They did not read him his rights and they allegedly refused to identify themselves when he requested them to do so.

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He said the officers proceeded to push him around and one clubbed him with a torch on the head while he was cuffed.

Defenceless and requesting they identify themselves, the officers kicked in doors of the bedrooms, ransacking the house and his office before he was taken to the Silverton SAPS.

Machate told Rekord that he was placed in a room where he was kicked all over his body by police officers before he was charged with attempted murder, driving under the influence, reckless and negligent driving and assault on a police officer.

At around 03:00 Machate was taken to the Steve Biko Academic Hospital for blood tests and medical attention as he had a wound on his head from the alleged blow by the torch.

Machate said following the alleged incident, he wanted to ensure that his wife and children received counselling as they had been left traumatised by the incident.

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“The whole scenario traumatised us a great deal, I also still need to go back to the hospital and get counselling for my wife and children.”

Machate expressed fear for his family “as the officers know where I live and the cars I drive. They could come back”.

Machate’s wife Tintswalo said she was still traumatised by the incident and was considering moving the children as they were now scared. The doors to the house cannot close following the alleged forced entry.

“We cannot even fix the doors as the police must still come and investigate as this is a crime scene,” she said.

IPID spokesperson Moses Dlamini said the matter was being investigated and could not comment further.

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TMPD spokesperson Isaac Mahamba also declined to comment saying investigations into the matter were ongoing. He confirmed that police authorities and Machate had opened cases.

Chairman of the National Press Club, of which Machate of PINA news agency is a member, Jos Charle, condemned the alleged attack on Machate.

“While not commenting on the merits of the case, the NPC condemns what appears to be excessive force by the police against an unarmed citizen in front of his traumatised family.

“The NPC asserts the police’s right to enforce law and order, but note that this cannot be done outside the prescripts of the constitution.

“Everyone should be presumed innocent until evidence is provided before a court of law and a competent judicial process adjudicates in the matter.

“We urge the relevant authorities – including IPID – to investigate the alleged conduct of the officers while allowing due process to unfold,” the NPC said.