File
The Independent Investigative Directorate says a 36-year-old Warrant Officer attached to the Flying Squad in Gqeberha appeared in court on several charges including torture and assault.
IPID said the Officer was arrested on Thursday and appeared in court where he was later released on warning.
IPID’s Lizzy Suping said he faces charges of torture, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, three counts of kidnapping, and common assault.
She said the charges related to an incident on 15 March 2019 when the Officer is alleged to have stopped and searched three men for firearms but found nothing on them.
IPID said the three were instructed to get into the police vehicle under the pretence that they would be taken to the offices of the Anti-Gang Unit for profiling but were taken to a secluded place with gravel road where they were allegedly tortured by “the accused person.”
Suping said one of the victims admitted that he had a firearm at his home but a search turned up nothing.
“The victim was taken away and was further assaulted. After the ordeal, the victim was dropped at a traffic circle near his home.”
She said the family and the victim then registered a case at the Gelvandale SAPS.
The Warrant-Officer will be back in court again on 13 April.
