Justice denied in police brutality case
May 17 2012 6:44AM
Joseph Rapeo Mahlangu brutally assaulted by police. Picture: Michael Appel
Michael Appel
A brutal assault by police officers at the Hillbrow police station in the early hours of 8 December 2007 has left Joseph Rapeo Mahlangu with horrendous scars from two emergency surgeries needed to save his life.
Mahlangu was placed in isolation in a holding cell where officers repeatedly punched and kicked him causing severe internal bleeding.
After his release, Mahlangu was rushed to Helen Joseph Hospital where doctors saved his life. Two of the three policeman were found guilty of assault in a criminal case against them.
The Wits Law Clinic has subsequently laid charges of assault, unlawful arrest and detention in a civil case against Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa. For more on this story go to page 2 in The New Age newspaper.
micheala@thenewage.co.za
A brutal assault by police officers at the Hillbrow police station in the early hours of 8 December 2007 has left Joseph Rapeo Mahlangu with horrendous scars from two emergency surgeries needed to save his life.
Mahlangu was placed in isolation in a holding cell where officers repeatedly punched and kicked him causing severe internal bleeding.
After his release, Mahlangu was rushed to Helen Joseph Hospital where doctors saved his life. Two of the three policeman were found guilty of assault in a criminal case against them.
The Wits Law Clinic has subsequently laid charges of assault, unlawful arrest and detention in a civil case against Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa. For more on this story go to page 2 in The New Age newspaper.
micheala@thenewage.co.za
http://www.thenewage.co.za/50953-1007-53-Justice_denied_in_police_brutality_case
