Mpumalanga’s top cop has promised to come down hard on officers who step out of line, following the death of a 60-year-old man, who allegedly died after being assaulted by South African Police Service (SAPS) officers.
The victim, who was injured during the incident, died in hospital on Monday, September 9.
The incident occurred in Piet Retief, where two police officers were responding to a domestic violence report. The officers allegedly assaulted the individual, who was later hospitalised. The actual circumstances of the case are still being investigated.
"There is nothing that will be swept under the rug, and we will never tolerate any type of misconduct by members of the Service," said Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, the acting provincial police commissioner.
“The situation is lamentable, and if these members are discovered to have taken the law into their own hands, they will be charged and face the full weight of the law."
Given the seriousness of the claim, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which is handling the case as though it was a possible murder, has also started their own investigation into the incident. It said it would receive complete cooperation from the SAPS.
The SAPS advises the public to be patient as investigations continue.
"The integrity and trust of the SAPS are paramount, and we are committed to ensuring that justice is served," Mkhwanazi said.
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