SAPS Official Suspended For Cape Town Woman’s
Brutal Arrest
Posted
by: Jamie-Leigh Matroos Tags: Cape Town,
officer suspended,
Police Brutality
Posted date: December 4, 2014 | Comment
The South African Police
Service (SAPS) on Thursday announced the suspension of 45-year old Sergeant
Irvin James Kallie for his involvement in the brutal arrest of a 50-year-old
grandmother in Cape Town, in late November.
Footage of the woman’s
arrest was uploaded to YouTube last week, and has been making the rounds on
social media. It shows a woman pinned to the ground by police officers and
surrounded by locals from the area.
One of the officers appears
to stand on her head while others drag her by her feet towards the police van.
Her son can be seen pleading for the officers to beat him instead.
The officers have been
identified as police officials based at the Kraaifontein police station.
“After police approached
the victim yesterday to open a criminal case, the case was indeed registered
and its receiving our priority in terms of pursuing the necessary
investigations,” said police’s Colonel Tembinkosi Kinana.
“Subsequent to this, a
decision was taken to suspend one of the members immediately as part of the
steps management have taken in response to the issue. The matter will also be
handed over to the IPID [Independent Police Investigative Directorate] for a
further investigation into the incident,” he added.
On Wednesday, Western Cape
Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Arno Lamoer expressed shock at the
incident.
“What infuriates one is
that this incident occurs at a time when there is heightened awareness on violence
against vulnerable groups such as women, children and the elderly,” said
Lamoer.
“We undertake to ensure
that the investigation is conducted in a fair and just manner. Once the
investigation is finalized the outcome will be communicated. Police brutality
within our ranks is condemned and will be rooted out,” he added.
