Two female police officers are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court today on charges of assault after they allegedly attacked a woman who called on police for help in a domestic dispute.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesperson, Lizzy Suping, confirmed the incident occurred in Heidedal last month and the two officers were arrested on Thursday.
“It is alleged that the 40-year-old victim was assaulted by the officers following a disagreement that led to the assault inside the police station. The victim allegedly wanted the police to intervene after her boyfriend violated a protection order,” said Suping.
According to Suping, the woman sustained injuries to her body.
The constable and sergeant allegedly assaulted the woman at the Heidedal police station when she went there on January 19.
“An argument allegedly ensued between the victim and the two female police officers and she was allegedly assaulted. She later reported the incident to Ipid and the case is under investigation and the investigations are at an advanced stage,” said Suping.
Their matter is one of two cases at Heidedal where officers are being investigated.
The other incident took place at the home of the complainant.
“It is alleged that a police officer went to the house of a retired police officer to obtain a warning statement for a separate case. An argument allegedly ensued between the officer and the retired officer, after he allegedly refused to give a statement.
“The police officer left without obtaining the warning statement but returned later with five other police officers, and there was an argument between the police officers and the retired officer. The retired officer, his wife, and his son later went to the police station to open a case of assault against the officers,” said Suping.
Both matters were handed to prosecutors for decisions.