Police officer allegedly responsible for learner’s assault was ‘off-duty’ – Ipid
Ipid said during the investigation into the matter it was found that the officer who is allegedly behind the assault was not on duty and therefore needs to be investigated by the police.
According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), a Mamelodi police officer accused of assaulting a Grade 7 learner last month was off-duty at the time.
Therefore, the incident will not be investigated by Ipid but instead by police.
Spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, confirmed to Record that the case does not fall within the Ipid mandate.
The incident apparently occurred on August 23.
The Mamelodi Grade 7 learner was allegedly assaulted by the officer who was also a caretaker at the learner’s school at the time.
The assault resulted in parents threatening to shut down the school recently.
The Gauteng education department claimed the assailant is a member of the Mamelodi police.
Gauteng education spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed the department was aware of the assault case.
“The caretaker’s agreement was terminated based on breach of contractual obligations and safety concerns,” said Mabona.
The accused was issued a 48-hour notice to vacate the school premises, effective August 23.
“Our psychosocial support team was dispatched to the school to provide support,” said Mabona.
He said though the parents had attempted to open a case with the police, that it was an Ipid matter.
Parents have since picketed outside the Mamelodi East police station, demanding answers as to why the caretaker was not arrested after they laid a charge of assault against him.
The victim’s parent told Record the assault allegedly happened after the child had taken a R2 coin from the caretaker’s child.
The other learners rushed to call one of the class teachers, but by the time the teacher arrived, the child had already suffered a serious beating.
“My child was rushed to the clinic due to the extent of his injuries.”
“After receiving the treatment at the clinic, we went straight to the police station and laid a charge of assault against the caretaker, but no action was taken.”
Police had yet to provide comment by the time of publication.
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