The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) have launched an investigation into an alleged assault on three friends, from Johannesburg, by members of the SAPS in Gugulethu.
What was supposed to be a fun trip to the Cape turned into a nightmare for Julian van Heerden (46), Clinton Smit (45) and Deon Meyer (44), who have lodged a complaint with IPID after they were allegedly beaten on the buttocks with a bat during a police operation.
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The trio made the 14-hour journey from Johannesburg and arrived in Cape Town to deliver a vehicle, last Sunday.
However, while they were planning on making a mini holiday of the visit, their trip was soon soured following a police encounter.
Van Heerden told IOL that after they delivered their friend’s car, they went sightseeing and ended up staying at a friend’s house in Gugulethu, only to be woken up in the evening.
“I remember about 30 cops storming into Andile’s (the friend) house screaming at us to lay flat with our hands behind our heads.” Van Heerden told IOL.
“We did just that, and while we were trying to explain, a captain started trampling all over our feet and legs.”
According to Van Heerden, they attempted to find out from the police what was happening and tried to explain that they were only visiting the city.
“They told us they were searching for drugs because they were doing an operation. This captain then found a golf stick and started beating us on our buttocks while we were still laying on the ground.”
“This is what still doesn’t make sense because we did all those things they asked us, we didn’t stop them from doing their work but we were still assaulted.
“The captain then found a baseball bat and started hitting us with it.”.
According to the engineer, the assault went on for more than an hour and a half, while other officers looked on, before they were put into a police vehicle and taken to the station for profiling.
“After two hours they told us they found nothing on us and let us go,” he said, adding that they were advised by another officer to open a case.
“This officer apologized to us, but in my opinion, I believe this happens a lot more often.”
“If we had anything illegal or did anything illegal, why didn’t they arrest us? Why did they just hit us?”
Smit said that upon their release, the three went to a doctor to complete J88 forms to document their injuries before laying charges.
“I was scared,” he said. “This is the first time I ever experienced something like this.”
“You know what it feels like when you lay there hoping that the bat doesn’t hit you again? You are fearing for your life.”
“It’s like they came in with an intention, but if they just listened they would know that we just got in a few hours earlier and were sleeping off the booze,” Smit said, adding that they were left traumatised by the incident.
Meyer remarked that the experience had ruined their trip and that he would think twice before returning to Cape Town.
“There was a moment when I thought this is it, this is where my life is going to end. I mean, I heard of police brutality cases, but never thought it would happen to me,” he said.
According to the latest IPID statistics, 215 cases related to complaints against officers in the Western Cape were referred to SAPS management for steps to be taken against officers. Of these, 160 cases were assault.
IPID spokesperson, Lizzy Suping, confirmed that their office has taken over the docket from SAPS.
“Our investigation has commenced. IPID will pronounce on the outcome once the investigation is concluded,” she said.
Meanwhile, Western Cape MEC for Policing Oversight, Reagen Allen, urged IPID to finalise their investigation and hold the relevant perpetrators accountable for the “heinous crime”.
“The alleged assault on three men by members of the Gugulethu SAPS is deeply worrying.
“SAPS is an entity that should serve and protect all citizens, while enforcing the law without any brutality.
“The picture of at least one victim which I’ve seen suggests clear bruising to the back and buttocks of a male.
“We cannot have situations where officers operate outside the confines of the law, as they should be the living example of a law-abiding citizen,” he said.
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Pictures: IOL