Policeman assaults boy (16); faces disciplinary committee, ID parade
22 March 2012 | Riana Joubert
POLOKWANE - A charge of assault has been laid
against a policeman by a Ga-Dikgale boy (16) and the police
themselves.
The charges result from the alleged assault on Andrew Ramongale by SAPF member Petrus Lefoka (45) in Ramongale's home on Sunday March 11. In addition Lefoka will appear before a police disciplinary committee this Friday, March 23 and has been remanded to appear in the Polokwane magistrate's court on May 9.
The alleged assault was brought to the notice of the authorities by DA member for the Limpopo Provincial Legislature, Meisie Kennedy who heard about the incident and visited Ramongale in hospital.
"We are seeing a lot of this," said Kennedy. "There is an increase in police violence here. We try to ask the police why this is happening, but they don't know why it is. No one can answer that question," she said. Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi, the Limpopo police communication’s officer commented on the alleged assault, saying: "It took us by surprise. In fact we were very shocked by the despicable manner in which that member treated that boy. When we got the information we quickly opened up a case against him. We also kick-started the internal investigations as well. He will also be appearing before a disciplinary committee next week Friday".
Mulaudzi commented: "I can confirm that an assault case has been opened. We are going to have an identity parade where we are going to give the boy the opportunity to pinpoint the people responsible. Until an identity parade has been conducted, the allegations will remain allegations".
