Brutal treatment of Ladysmith businessman by police
He is hog-tied and dragged by police through the store in full view of
his customers and staff before being thrown into the back of a police van
Rod Skinner | 17 September 2014 11:58
With screeching tyres and blue lights flashing, three police vans
descended on RS Butchery on Sunday evening.
One of the police vans ended up on the pavement, as police began entering the business.
They sauntered to the counter and demanded to see the owner, 49-year-old Mr Imraan Sader.
They accused him of beating a security guard at his premises earlier in the day…
This in front of his staff and customers.
One of the police vans ended up on the pavement, as police began entering the business.
They sauntered to the counter and demanded to see the owner, 49-year-old Mr Imraan Sader.
They accused him of beating a security guard at his premises earlier in the day…
This in front of his staff and customers.
At this stage, seven police officers were milling around the store.
Ironically, the security guard he was alleged to have beaten was manning the gate they would use when they stormed behind the counter and placed Mr Sader in cuffs less than a minute later.
Ironically, the security guard he was alleged to have beaten was manning the gate they would use when they stormed behind the counter and placed Mr Sader in cuffs less than a minute later.
This despite Mr Sader’s assurances that he had nothing to do with the
beating of the guard; something the police officers were made aware of by the
guard, who was equally baffled at the arrest of the business owner.
The brutal arrest of Mr Sader, who has
undergone heart surgery in the past, was captured on CCTV footage in full
colour.
It clearly shows the police officers pushing through a security gate and
ignoring the alleged victim (the security guard), before manhandling the
businessman in front of his staff and customers.
He was hog-tied and dragged by police through the store in full view of
his customers and staff, before being thrown into the back of a police van.
Passing motorists and onlookers watched the arrest being carried out.
Passing motorists and onlookers watched the arrest being carried out.
It would later emerge that the security guard had never contacted the
police about any assault; it is believed that a family member of the guard did.
The fact is that the security guard was assaulted by his own boss (a member of the security company, who happens to be a police officer).
It is believed his family were confused and claimed it was the RS Butchery owner who assaulted him.
The fact is that the security guard was assaulted by his own boss (a member of the security company, who happens to be a police officer).
It is believed his family were confused and claimed it was the RS Butchery owner who assaulted him.
“Police who arrived on scene should at the very least have spoken to the
alleged victim before accusing me,” said a still distraught Mr Sader.
The officers can be seen later speaking to the alleged victim, and it is most likely at this stage that they realised their error.
However, rather than release Mr Sader, they took him to the police cells, where he was locked up with hardened criminals for the night.
The officers can be seen later speaking to the alleged victim, and it is most likely at this stage that they realised their error.
However, rather than release Mr Sader, they took him to the police cells, where he was locked up with hardened criminals for the night.
“My husband is not well. He has a heart condition and arthritis, and is
on medication, yet nobody seemed to care. He agreed to go with them, and all he
asked was that they wait for me to come so I could secure the money in the
shop, as well as take over. They refused,” said an angry Mrs Sarah Sader.
He was only released on bail the following morning. Initial charges
against him of interfering with the duties of a police officer were dropped and
only those of Crimen Injuria were left after the public prosecutor viewed part
of the CCTV footage.
As most of the officers involved were candidate officers led by a junior
officer, it is unclear why a more senior officer was not called to the scene,
especially after police became aware that no assault by Mr Sader had taken
place.
Reading the official police report concerning the incident, one has to ask why this matter has not been handed over to the Independent Complaints Directorate for investigation.
Reading the official police report concerning the incident, one has to ask why this matter has not been handed over to the Independent Complaints Directorate for investigation.
“I was really appalled at the reckless disregard of my client’s rights
to dignity and protection.
“We will fight this to the bitter end to ensure that justice is achieved,” said attorney Vishnu Moodley.
You can see part of the video online at ladysmithgazette.co.za
“We will fight this to the bitter end to ensure that justice is achieved,” said attorney Vishnu Moodley.
You can see part of the video online at ladysmithgazette.co.za
