Sunday, February 22, 2015

Crimes of the South African Police Service


Woman plans charges against Phiyega over police brutality
The victim says she was arrested and tortured by officers who accused her of being drunk.


Lana Stander claims she was assaulted at a Johannesburg police station on 14 February 2015. Picture: VumaniMkhize/EWN



JOHANNESBURG - A Randburg woman has told Eyewitness News she will be laying criminal charges against National Police Commissioner RiahPhiyega and her office after she was assaulted, allegedly by police officers.

In the early hours of Saturday morning Lana Stander was involved in a car crash after suffering an epileptic seizure while driving.

Police accused her of driving under the influence, a claim she denies.

Stander said she was arrested after the crash and tortured by officers who accused her of drunk driving.

She said she was still traumatised following her ordeal.

“I don’t think I can cry right now or ever again. I feel hopeless.”

The 26-year-old, who suffers from chronic epilepsy, said being attacked by police officers has left her feeling victimised because of her illness.

“This illness is too much for me and I am now being punished by the law for having this sickness.”
She said officials who were patrolling the area stopped to inspect the scene and insisted she was drunk because she was still unsteady on her feet following the seizure.

Stander was then allegedly beaten, thrown against a police car and tortured for hours, suffering several more epileptic attacks during that time.

She said her condition has never been a threat to other road users because it’s been medically controlled for years.

The Randburg Police Station says it’s investigating the conduct of the officers involved.
Watch: 'Police beat and tortured me'.

(Edited by Winnie Theletsane)