A video went viral, showing how members assaulted the 23-year-old who is said to have been carrying bread and a non-alcoholic beverage with no questions asked. The video has since attracted fury from both the community and the man’s family. They are questioning the reason behind the brutal assault.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster today, the man said that he had been shown no mercy by soldiers who immediately launched an assault on him although he was carrying “essentials” that he had been sent to go and buy by his mother.
The man says that he is traumatised, fears for his life and doesn’t know how he will continue with his life after this Lock-down. He has since seen a local doctor twice since he sustained injuries from the ordeal.
The man’s mother said that she would like to see justice served for her son. “I am unemployed and can’t afford to buy in bulk. So I sent my son to go and get some bread and he got such a beating from soldiers. I wonder if they even have kids and what they would do if their kids were beaten for buying food.” The mother said that she would accompany her son to press charges against the officers.
Police Spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naaidoo said that he could not comment after a decision was taken not to provide blow-by-blow accounts on police actions.
The video below is not for sensitive people and contains strong language.
