THREE Aquadene youngsters claim they have been subjected to police brutality after allegedly being handcuffed, pushed to the ground and repeatedly kicked and beaten by police in Richards Bay on Saturday.
Lucian Hughes, Warren Abrahams and Chadlyn Randall say they stopped on the John Ross Highway to offer help at an accident scene when police apprehended and assaulted them, accused them of being involved in a hijacking.
The vehicle involved in the collision was stolen earlier in a hijacking in Meerensee and the three suspects had abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene.
Despite their efforts to inform police that they were not involved and had seen the suspects flee from the crashed vehicle, they were continuously beaten and kicked.
Still traumatised by the attack, Hughes said they tried to explain themselves to the officers, but they refused to listen.
‘We told them we were travelling in the vehicle which was parked on the roadside and had only stopped to offer help at the accident and to contact the ambulance.
‘Three of our friends were still in our car and when other police members arrived at the scene, they informed them that the suspects had l fled on foot.
‘Those officers left and later returned with the suspects and we were released,’ Hughes said.
A case of assault was opened at the Richards Bay SAPS.
