In the latest incident the former mayor of Lichtenburg in the Northwest Province, Eugene Els, was threatened with a loaded pistol, half stripped, arrested and bundled into a police vehicle after insisting police take the driver of another vehicle to be tested for excessive alcohol consumption after a collision in a shopping car park.
A 17-year old boy who captured the incident on his mobile phone was also slapped in the face. He fears for his safety and asked to remain anonymous.
Three men were observed in a Opel who drove aggressively and crashed into a parked car, the website netwerk24 reported.When police arrived the former mayor insisted the men be tested for alcohol abuse, but in stead the police turned on the former mayor, arresting him – apparently for interfering with a police investigation.
In the video, captured by the 17-year old and handed to the Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Rapport, it can clearly be seen how the police manhandles Els durig his arrest. A female police officer brandishes her 9mm pistol.
At this stage it is unclear if Els is still in police custody.
Kol. Sabata Mokgwabone of the North West police said Els is being charged with assault, criminal injuria and interfering with a police investigation.
Last month there was a similar incident where SAPS arrested dads for dog on leash in pet-friendly park.
All we ask now is where is all this going? If we are unable to rely on the police and justice being service when complaints are made or incidents reporting then what is next? How will all this end?
