
Audio By Carbonatix
Eight South African police officers are due to appear in court over last week's death of a Mozambican man who was apparently dragged behind a police van.Mido Macia, 27, died of head injuries and internal bleeding after his arrest in Daveyton, east of Johannesburg.An investigation was launched after video footage emerged showing the man being hauled through the streets with his hands cuffed to a police van.President Jacob Zuma called the incident "horrific" and "unacceptable".Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega thanked people for revealing "callous and unacceptable behaviour".
Credibility dentedThe eight officers were charged with murder on Friday - three days after the fatal incident.Mr Macia, a taxi driver, was reportedly detained for parking his vehicle in a way that blocked traffic.The video, apparently recorded by a bystander on a mobile phone, shows a large crowd watching as uniformed policemen tied him to the van, dragging him as they drove away.Public anger grew after the footage was broadcast on television.South Africa's police watchdog - the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) - is examining the video as part of its investigation.The South African Police Service expressed "extreme shock and outrage" at the mobile phone footage."From the video which has gone viral, it is obvious that the rights of Mido Macia were violated in the most extreme form," it said in a statement,"The behaviour displayed in that video, when it is committed by police who are expected to serve and protect, is to be abhorred," it added.The police force was already under intense scrutiny after officers shot dead 34 striking miners last August.Its credibility was also dented when it emerged that the lead detective in the murder case against athlete Oscar Pistorius was himself accused of attempted murder.The police service said it would give its full support to the IPID as it looked into Mr Macia's death.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Doku criticised over plan to return home for birth
13 minutes -
Ten-man Belgium held by Iran in second World Cup draw
22 minutes -
Serena Williams to make singles comeback at Wimbledon
33 minutes -
Meloni tells Trump to ‘focus on your own popularity’ as row escalates
42 minutes -
World Cup still waits for real Brazil to show up
51 minutes -
Mahama jokes about Father’s Day gifts, compares bouquet haul to First Lady’s Mother’s Day surprise
51 minutes -
NCPTA backs ban on extravagant school graduations, calls for return to discipline, character building
1 hour -
Ghana ranked 1st in Africa with highest policy rate; cost of credit most expensive
1 hour -
Central Regional NADMO gives residents in dilapidated buildings 14 days to evacuate
2 hours -
Bibiani NPP members call for regional chairman’s resignation over disqualification of aspirants
2 hours -
Cloudy conditions, intermittent rains to persist nationwide – GMet
2 hours -
Zenith SME Business Empowerment Lab urges SMEs to adapt, innovate and thrive in a changing economy
2 hours -
T-bills: Government record 20% undersubscription; interest rates continue to rise
3 hours -
Ghanaian medicinal plant shows potential to starve prostate tumours by blocking blood vessel growth
3 hours -
Emirates expands operations in Ghana with additional weekly flights
4 hours