5 years on, blue light cop faces charge
Johannesburg - Policeman Reeves Malebane will appear in the Tembisa Magistrate's Court on Wednesday after a pedestrian was assaulted when a blue light convoy stopped.
Olifantsfontein police said on Tuesday that Malebane was a member of the presidential protection unit in 2006 when the incident occurred.
"Police can confirm that the case will be heard in court tomorrow [Wednesday], but we have no further details," Constable Mokete Serakwane said.
Serakwane would not comment on the delay in the matter, and referred further enquiries to the justice department.
Justice spokesman Tlali Tlali could not be reached for comment.
The Democratic Alliance said Malebane faced charges of assault after apparently punching a pedestrian in the face when he did not get out of the way of a convoy transporting former president Thabo Mbeki in Midrand.
"The convoy then stopped and [SA Police Service] member Reeves Malebane... allegedly got out of the driver's side and proceeded to punch Walter Scheiblecker in the face and swear at him," DA spokesperson Kate Lorimer said in a statement.
Lorimer said that the case left some unanswered questions.
"One wonders why this case has taken so long to get to court as five years is unreasonable in the extreme?"
Lorimer said it was important for Scheiblecker and his family to be protected from possible intimidation.
"This type of abuse of power is unacceptable in our society and if the accused is found guilty, he must be kicked out of the police and punished to the full extent of the law," said Lorimer.
- SAPA
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/5-years-on-blue-light-cop-faces-charge-20111206
