Assaulted by members
of the Ulundi Tactical Response Team
There is some light at the end of the tunnel in Trudy Van Wyk Franz’s fight against police abuse of power, Northern Natal Courier reports.
Trudy, Manager at the Dundee Boulevard, was recently paid a visit by Ulundi SAPS Commissioner, Colonel Mlotshwa, who was following up on her case.
Trudy was assaulted by members of the Ulundi Tactical Response Team (TRT), three weeks ago.
TRT officers originally parked in a disabled bay, and upon being asked to vacate the bay, became aggressive. They rammed Trudy in the back with a vehicle, verbally and physically assaulted her and told her that ‘they could do as they pleased’ because they were police officers.
The matter was originally handed to the Dundee SAPS, but nothing came of it.
Colonel Mlotshwa said that this should not have happened in the first place, and has since personally escalated the matter to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
He added that the Ulundi TRT was not affiliated with the Ulundi SAPS and reported to a different commander; however, their actions were giving the Ulundi SAPS a bad name.
Trudy has also promised to continue clamping down on errant motorists at the centre, adding that she wasn’t going to be intimidated from doing what’s right.
“I will continue to fight for the underdog,” she said.
With the matter now with IPID, Trudy is positive that her case can serve as an example to others that the police can be held accountable as well.
Read original story on northernnatalcourier.co.za
