Sixteen 'Rambo
Squad' officers arrested for assault
2014-02-02 19:24
Johannesburg - Sixteen police officers have been arrested in Ficksburg
for allegedly assaulting members of the public, the Independent Police
Investigative Directorate (IPID) said on Sunday.
"The constables are part of the so-called 'Rambo Squad' which has
been assaulting members of the public in Ficksburg and surrounding townships,"
spokesperson Moses Dlamini said in a statement.
"The IPID initially arrested some of the 16 suspects in August 2013
following a spate of assaults on members of the public, including one person
being driven over with a police vehicle."
The remaining arrests, which took place on Friday, followed an
investigation into three assaults with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
reported in January 2014.
"The Ipid took the dockets to the Director of Public Prosecutions
(DPP) for a decision on prosecution and the DPP instructed that the suspects be
arrested and that the suspects answer to the two cases when they appear in
court."
Out of the 16 police officers arrested, 10 were men and six were women.
The IPID deplored the use of unwarranted violence on communities by
police officers, who were meant to protect the communities they served.
"The IPID will oppose bail," said Dlamini.
The 16 officers were expected to appear in the Ficksburg Magistrate's
Court on Monday.
- SAPA
