Security – The South African government on Friday announced that the police officers involved in the death of a Mozambican taxi driver this week have been suspended and disarmed.
National Police Commissioner, Gen. Rtiah Phiyega, told a news conference that the commander of the Daveyton police station would be removed for the duration of an internal police probe.
Mido Macia, a Mozambican taxi driver, was tied to the back of a police van and dragged along the street in Daveyton, near Johannesburg.
Gen. Phiyega said that the South African Police Service (SAPS) regretted and condemned the incident, urging all witnesses to come forward and co-operate with the investigation.
'The conduct clearly goes against the values that the SAPS represent. All SAPS members are expected to respect and uphold the law at all times and avoid at all costs any conduct that makes us violators of the law,' she said.
President Jacob Zuma described the visuals of the incident as “horrific, disturbing and unacceptable”, adding that “no human being should be treated in that manner”.
The official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed the suspension of the police officers allegedly involved in the death of the taxi driver.
'The DA also welcomes the suspension of the station commander responsible for the area,' said Gauteng MP Kate Lorimer.
'Suspending the police officers pending the outcome of the various investigations is the only sensible thing to do, in support of upholding the law and protecting citizens from rogue cops like those involved,' Lorimer added.
Pana 01/03/2013