POLICE brutality mpumalanga Komatipoort 2

Photo: Tatsu / Twitter

Mpumalanga: Cops slammed for “brutality” after ramming van into suspect [video]

Officers in Komatipoort have suffered a backlash, after they stopped a runaway suspect by driving into him. It’s another PR nightmare for Mpumalanga SAPS.

by Tom Head

19-08-2019 09:58

in Video

Photo: Tatsu / Twitter

Police officers in Komatipoort, Mpumalanga have been on the receiving end of some fierce criticism this weekend, after they apprehended a suspect in uncompromising fashion. The SAPS duo have been accused of exhibiting brutality by bringing down the alleged criminal with their van.

Komatipoort SAPS officers stop suspect by mowing him down

Footage of the incident emerged online on Sunday. It shows a man running away and across the Naas Plaza, in an attempt to escape the police. Some sources say that the suspect was wanted on charges of drinking in public, but we’ve not been able to verify these claims.

As he bends round the corner and makes a dash for freedom, the officers use their vehicle as an advantage. They cut the perp off right at the corner of the street. But instead of simply blocking his path, they drive into the runaway and push him into the wall.

In obvious pain and distress, the man limps away from the shocking incident, and the onlooking crowds gasp as the victim is brought to an abrupt halt. We understand that the man has since received medical treatment in Mpumalanga, but it is unclear whether the officers involved will have to face any disciplinary action.

Social media reacts

The use of force was somewhat excessive, but others doubt that ‘public drinking’ was the main reason he was mowed down. The debate has caused a rupture on social media, as arguments for both sides dominated the discourse:

Gooood , SAPS must stop being soft to criminals
— Chicken Cages (@makgaeaubrey) August 18, 2019

This is not brutality, it's attempted murder.
— Umalambane – ZN (@UmalambaneZN) August 19, 2019

Police brutality accusations surface again in Mpumalanga

Earlier this year, two other Mpumalanga SAPS members faced accusations of brutality: They subdued a former student of Mmametlake Secondary School by shooting him in the leg back in March – but their decision to open fire was met with a slew of criticism. The DA suggested that the use of live ammunition “was a cause for concern”.

Komatipoort is a town situated at the confluence of the Crocodile and Komati Rivers in Mpumalanga province. The area is 8km from the Crocodile Bridge Gate into the Kruger Park, and just 5km from the Mozambique border. It’s about an hour’s drive east of Nelspruit, too.