Two SA cops filmed necklacing-victim VuyaniKose as
he lay dying, said they'd put it on facebook
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SunReporterSandisoPhaliso was on the scene Tuesday Feb 4 2014 — and photographed the cops recording Kose’s agony. Phaliso said he ‘heard the cops saying they wanted to post their pictures on Facebook. When they saw Phaliso recording their inhumane act, they tried to force him to delete his pictures and take away his camera – they grabbed his notebook and threatened to arrest him for ‘attempted murder’ of the victim. Phaliso refused their ‘requests’ and was released. Kose, 30 was rushed to hospital where he died. The mob formed when Kose was grabbed by some residents, accusing him breaking into houses and stealing appliances. They ignored his pleas for mercy, beat him senseless – and then piled grass, papers and a tyre on top of him and torched him. Sandiso said ‘When the police arrived the crowd ran away. I stayed and continued taking pictures. When the cops saw me they pointed guns at me and shouted that I was ‘beating the victim’. While some questioned me I saw two cops taking pictures of Kose – who was still alive, lying on the ground. The cops were ‘laughing and giggling’ at the fatally-injured victim. ‘I could hear them saying they would post the pictures they took on Facebook. “The dying man asked for water and I told him he should wait for the paramedics to arrive. “One policeman then shouted at him ‘stay down there until the ambulance arrives you piece of shit. You steal people’s clothing and you want mercy’. The ambulance took 30 minutes to arrive, Sandiso said. He was then taken to the back of the police van and told that he was being arrested for attempted murder. “I was taken to Nyanga Police Station. At the charge office, I was asked to produce the photos and say who the perpetrators were. “I refused to give them my camera and I couldn’t tell them who the attackers were,” said Sandiso.
. “Two hours later I was released.” – Police spokesman Colonel Andre Traut confirmed that cops had gone to the scene and saved Kose from burning in the fire.
“It is suspected that he was assaulted by community members of Brown’s Farm. He later died of his injuries. “No one has been arrested.” When Daily Sun put SunManSandiso’s allegations to him, Traut replied: “These allegations are regarded as very serious and the station commander of Nyanga Police Station has been informed so they can be investigated.” He also claimed “Posting a photograph of a victim of crime on a social network by members of SAPS is strictly prohibited.“The allegation that the members concerned did indeed post the images on a social network has yet to be substantiated.” – The Khayelitsha
