A Lwandle police officer is being investigated after a video appeared to show him slapping a drunk man outside the police station in Strand, Cape Town over the weekend.
The incident was captured on video and shared online by crime group Fight Against Crime South Africa.
The footage shows the man, who was allegedly stabbed by another person, lying on the ground as the officer stands over him. The man later gets to his feet before the officer confronts him and demands that he show respect to police.
The officer allegedly accused the man of coming to the station while drunk and insulting police officers because he was afraid of the person who had allegedly stabbed him.
The officer is heard saying: “Don’t come to the police station when you are drunk, then you want to come and tell us nonsense because you are scared of the guy who stabbed you. So you come and give us s**t. You always come here when you are drunk to come and undermine us.”
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Ipid Investigates Alleged Police Assault
The footage then appears to show the officer pointing at the man before slapping him and ordering him to leave.
Another police officer intervened and escorted his colleague into the station before closing the gate.
The officer also confronted a bystander who was recording the incident, saying he was not concerned about being filmed.
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Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that the incident is being investigated.
“An assault case was registered for further investigation.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and no arrests have been made yet. Departmental disciplinary procedures have been instituted against the member.”
Police Oversight Minister Condemns Conduct
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais said the conduct seen in the video was unacceptable.
“The behaviour of the police officer depicted in the circulating video is completely unacceptable and must not be tolerated.
“Incidents like this further tarnish the already strained trust relationship between residents and the police.
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“I can confirm that a formal complaint has been registered and the matter is being investigated by Ipid. An internal disciplinary process has also been initiated.”
The matter remains under investigation, with no arrests reported at this stage.
