METRO Police confirmed an internal enquiry is underway after an altercation occurred between the department’s officers of the South Region offices in Isipingo, which led to the subsequent arrest of three siblings who own businesses in the area.
During the altercation which occurred at about noon on Saturday, 31 January at 102 Old Main Road outside Tony’s Car Sales, Tony’s Liquors and Tony’s Action Bar, sisters, Shelina and Nolene Outar and their brother Ashie were thrown into the back of a Metro Police vehicle, after a large contingent of Metro officers converged on the premises, after being summoned by two women officers.
A war of words erupted after the women officers parked at the business premises, which is private property, in a state vehicle. “My brother parked behind them. As they were about to leave, he moved his vehicle, but they gave him a ticket for obstruction. After he threw the ticket out, he was slapped in the face,” said Shelina.
Younger sister, Nolene intervened on her brother’s behalf, but she was told to ‘stay out, it’s none of your business. “They grabbed her by the hair and slapped her too.”
The two Metro Police women radioed for back-up and about five vehicles and 18 officers arrived. At the same time, Shelina stood on the stairs leading to Tony’s Action Bar, taking photos of the scene with her cellphone.
On the arrival of more officers, Ashie attempted to explain to them what happened. “They dragged him, slammed him against a bakkie, hit him with a baton and shoved him in the back of a vehicle.”
They then noticed Shelina taking photos and turned on her. CCTV footage shows the officers trying to take her phone from her several times. “After I handed my phone to my niece, they dragged me down the stairs and shoved me in the van with my brother.”
CCTV footage shows the officers entering the bar and kicking down a kitchen door, through which male officers drag Nolene out. “They punched her in the face and pushed my mum aside when she intervened. They handcuffed her, although she told them she will go with them willingly,” said Shelina.
“They had no right to come into the business, they had no search warrant. They behaved in a barbaric manner and manhandled my sister. They used derogatory and racist language.”
Nolene sported several bruises on her and hair was pulled out in clumps.
The siblings were taken to Isipingo police station where they were charged with assault and resisting arrest. “We were placed in the cells and only released at about 7.30pm.”
They appeared in Amanzimtoti Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 2 February, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Outars have opened a counter charge of assault against the Metro officers. They will appear again at Toti Court on Wednesday, 25 February.
“My family is traumatised. It is unacceptable that we were treated in this manner.”
Metro Police spokesman, Snr Supt Eugene Msomi said: “I can confirm that an internal enquiry has commenced to establish exactly what happened, with a view to implementing corrective measures where necessary. We certainly take these allegations very seriously and will be giving them appropriate attention.”
Click here to watch a video:
