Cop 'assaults' woman racing to dying dad
Hestia Kotze (Beeld)
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Hestia Kotze's father Koot de Beer died as she pleaded on her knees, in handcuffs, while a traffic officer allegedly manhandled her, swore at her and sprayed pepper spray in her face.
Kotze said she had received a call from staff at the Potchefstroom Mediclinic on Saturday afternoon to say that she should come immediately, because her father was dying.
According to Kotze, a traffic officer attempted to pull her over near the Ikageng off-ramp.
"I was doing no more than 120km. I moved into the other lane, and gestured to him, saying it was an emergency and I needed his help. My headlights and emergency lights were flashing," she said.
The officer followed Kotze to the hospital, allegedly apprehended her outside the entrance and threw her onto the ground.
Witnesses said he allegedly shoved Kotze against a fence, swore at her, pushed his knee into her back and squirted pepper spray in her face.
Kotze was taken to the local police station, where she was granted bail.
Charges against her were dropped by the Potchefstroom Magistrate's Court, but she said she would pursue a civil claim against the officer.
Kotze was taken to the local police station, where she was granted bail.
Charges against her were dropped by the Potchefstroom Magistrate's Court, but she said she would pursue a civil claim against the officer.
- SAPA
