By Doreen Mokgolo
The residents of Thokoza are calling for the arrest of five EMPD officers who assaulted a suspect in full view of the community last week.
In a video that has since gone viral, the officers can be seen trying to pin the suspect down. One of the officers has his boot on his neck, while the other is seen holding a pepper spray canister.
The suspect can be heard pleading with the police and demanding to know why they had assaulted and were arresting him.
City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the incident happened last week during an EMPD roadblock.
“The suspect was arrested for contravention of the Road Traffic Act. While in the police vehicle at the roadblock, the suspect called his brother.
“When the brother arrived, he opened the police car to release his brother and others who were arrested.
“Police were forced to use minimum force to get the brother to comply,” he said.
Dlamini said police are trained to exercise minimum force when arresting suspects.
“The suspect has been charged with defeating the ends of justice and no case has been opened against the officers,” he said.
A resident, Dineo Molokomme, said as much as the suspect was in the wrong, police didn’t have to use so much force.
“It was as if they were fighting a wild animal. There were five officers against one but they all wanted to add force.
“None of the officers called the others out. Even when we tried to plead with them they threatened to arrest us,” she said.
Molokomme said they are demanding that the officers be arrested and punished for using excessive force.
“No one in this country is above the law, not even the police. They have gotten away with such incidents in the past but now enough is enough,” she said.
Picture above: EMPD officers surround the victim.
Source: Supplied
