Officers under investigation for ‘manhandling’ farmer
It is normal procedure at the scene of an accident for the injured to first receive treatment before being taken away by police says emergency worker
POLOKWANE – The injured farmer from Mogwadi, who was thrown into the back of a police vehicle, is now being treated at a hospital in Polokwane for four broken ribs and other injuries.
Nico Combrinck was travelling on the R71 between Namakgale and Gravelotte on 28 June when he was involved in an accident.
It is believed that the police officers threw Combrinck, who has a heart condition, into the back of a police vehicle as they believed he was driving under the influence. Four police officers were seen holding Combrinck’s legs and arms before throwing him into the vehicle.
According to Jaco Gericke, a Maponya 911 emergency services worker who attended to Combrinck on the scene he arrived on the scene and found Combrinck in a weakened and pale condition.
“I smelled no alcohol on Combrinck and he didn’t seem too badly injured.
“I did all the basic and immediate checks necessary at an accident scene, I took a sample history and returned to my vehicle to retrieve an ECG machine.
According to Gericke upon his return, he saw the police officers holding Combrinck by his arms and legs attempting to get him into the back of the van.
I told the officers they were not treating Combrinck correctly, the constable at the scene simply shouted at me and they carried on he added.
“It is normal procedure at the scene of an accident for the injured to first receive treatment before being taken away by police, should there be reason to do so.”
According to Provincial Police Spokesperson, Col Ronel Otto, Combrinck was charged with resisting arrest, driving under the influence as well as negligent driving.
“An internal investigation has been opened against the four officers,” she said.
