‘Cops did this to me’
Thabelo Makhavhu has opened a case of assault against a number of police officers whom he said assaulted him.
LIMPOPO – A young man from Ravele outside Louis Trichardt is weighing up his legal options after he says he suffered an assault from a number of police officers at his house last Sunday.
Thabelo Makhavhu says he was at home early in the morning, when a number of officers arrived. “They said they were looking for my brother and that I would pay dearly if I did not tell them where he was.”
According to Makhavhu, he had no idea of his brother’s whereabouts. “After I told them this, they started beating and kicking me. One officer kicked me after I fell to the ground.”
From here, he was kicked in the stomach and private parts, he said, with his hands tied behind his back. “I had immense pain, and eventually collapsed.”
In time, he managed to phone emergency services personnel, and was taken to the Memorial Hospital. After receiving medical treatment, Makhavhu opted to go to the police station, where, he said, officers kept him from opening a case of assault against their fellow officers.
“I went to the Tshilwavhusiku Police Station to open a case. Some of those who had assaulted me were present, and said to me that I would be wasting my time to open a case. He told me they would ‘swindle’ the case.”
Only after he demanded to speak to the station commander or another senior police official, was he allowed to open a case.
Limpopo Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed that a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was opened at the station, and that the case is being investigated.
