Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Witbank are investigating alleged acts of brutality by members of a private security company which took place at Uthingo Park, Witbank on 5 July 2019. The alleged brutality, captured on video which is currently doing the rounds on social media, reportedly took place during a physical engagement between the guards and members of the community, who were reportedly protesting about some contentious issues within their community. They were reportedly burning tyres in the process when the guards reportedly moved in.
Information at police disposal suggested that a member of the community allegedly wanted to disarm a Security Guard of his firearm, leading to a squabble whereupon his (Guard) colleagues came to his assistance and in the process administered excessive force on the individual. The victim is seen on the video being pressed down and beaten up, including with firearm butts on his upper body. The latter opened an Assault with an Intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (Assault GBH) case.
Police Management in the Province indicated that while acknowledging and appreciating the role played by the private security industry in the fight against crime, however warned that the use of excessive force that is disproportionate to a threat, amounts to brutality and is punishable by law.
The Management went on to say that not even the police are allowed to use disproportionate force under any circumstance. On the same note, the police management cautioned security companies to contact the police should there be public disturbances caused by the community because they (police) are trained to deal with such circumstances.
An appeal has also been advanced to the community of Uthingo Park to be calm and advocate for the use of applicable communication processes and dialogue in solving their problems.
Spiralling from the video incident, police have moved swiftly and arrested three suspects yesterday and they are expected to appear at the Witbank Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 8 July 2019, facing an assault (GBH) charge.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
