DA to report alleged Kakamas police abuse to IPID

by Andrew Louw – DA Northern Cape Premier Candidate

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Date: 05 October 2018

Release: Immediate

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape will refer a case of alleged police brutality in Kakamas to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

This comes after a 25-year old man, Mr Randal Tanga, was physically assaulted and mocked by 10 police officers at a local shebeen on the weekend, after a verbal altercation with the shebeen owner.

It is alleged that he endured kicks, fist blows and stomping from police officers while he was lying on the ground and sprayed with pepper spray at least three times. Tanga, who suffers from heart and asthma conditions, pleaded with the onlooking police officers to help him but they ignored him, choosing to rather participate in overtly sexual flirtation with one of the female police officers.

Tanga was then pummeled into the police van, without being given the opportunity to give a statement. He was further attacked while being detained in the police holding cells.

Tanga is currently recovering in hospital from serious internal bleeding and a swollen liver. He, and his girlfriend, who witnessed the first part of the assault at the shebeen, are traumatized after having been humiliated and stripped of their human dignity.

Family members have taken the matter to the Upington Regional Police Station as they have completely lost their trust in the Kakamas branch.

The DA will also take this matter further by reporting it to IPID, to ensure that these police officers are held liable for their violent behavior.

Harbouring criminals within SAPS, is unacceptable and is indicative of a failing ANC government which has no will to fight the high levels of crime by neglecting to ensure a professional police service.

The South African Police Service is supposed to help and protect community members but all they seem to do is fail the country.

The DA will bring change that ensures the police is professionalized, keeps our communities safe and restores order