By Sibongile Nonyana
A woman has opened a case of assault and unlawful arrest against the police, claiming they assaulted and arrested her for allegedly hiding a victim of gender-based violence (GBV).
Phuthi Makhado, 48, from Soshanguve Block X, said she was arrested on Saturday after police accused her of hiding a 23-year-old GBV victim, known only as Makwena.
Makhado explained that the victim came to her on Saturday morning seeking help after being assaulted by her boyfriend, a student at the Tshwane University of Technology.
“As an active member of the EFF, Makwena approached me for help regarding her abusive boyfriend. I advised her to report the matter to the police.”
Makhado said that when Makwena returned from the Rietgat police station, she was crying, saying the police had not helped her and had mocked her instead.
“In the afternoon, the Rietgat police arrived with five police vans. They told me they were looking for Makwena after her boyfriend opened a case of theft against her,” Makhado said.
“The police asked to enter my house to look for her, and I allowed them. After they searched, they came out and accused me of hiding her, saying they would arrest me for tampering with evidence.”
Makhado said she resisted when the police tried to arrest her.
“I told them I did not know where Makwena was and that I last saw her when she returned from the police station.
“One male police officer choked me and put his knee on my back while a female officer insulted and assaulted me.
“They dragged me and put me in a van. My hands were bruised after the assault,” she said. “I was charged with theft, resisting arrest, and interfering with police duty.”
Makhado was released from police custody on R500 bail on Monday and is due to appear in the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 3 October.
She said she opened a case of assault and unlawful arrest against the Rietgat police on Tuesday.
Colonel Rasila, commander of the Rietgat police station, and Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, spokesperson for the Limpopo provincial police, had yet to respond to Scrolla.Africa’s requests for comment at the time of publication.
Pictured above: Police lights.
Source: File
