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The chairperson of the Democratic Alliance’s Federal Council, Helen Zille, has laid a charge of assault after she was “frog-marched” out of a polling station in Bethelsdorp in Gqeberha.
In a statement on Monday, DA Communications Director, Richard Newton said Zille, who is a party agent, was at the Fernwood Primary School voting station in Bethelsdorp.
“According to Zille, due to the long queue, she walked down the line asking people to wait. She further stated that when she got to the front of the queue, the ANC observers accused her of canvassing,” he said.
Newton said Zille then alleged that (a) Warrant Officer Botha instructed her to leave the premises and threatened to arrest her and put her in the back of a police vehicle.
“She was ‘frog-marched’ out of the premises and the police officer twisted her arm and continued pushing her. The cell phone that her colleague was using to film the incident was allegedly taken by W/O Botha,” he said.
Newton said Zille went to the Bethelsdorp police station and opened a case of assault, adding that “the investigation will no doubt determine exactly what happened.”
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate meanwhile confirmed that its Eastern Cape office received a complaint “assault and mishandling” by police officers.
“It is alleged that police officers assaulted and mishandled Ms Helen Zille,” said IPID spokesperson, Grace Langa.
She said a case of theft is also under investigation after police confiscated the cell phone of a person taking a video of the incident.
Langa said the device was returned and a case was opened.
She said IPID will investigate the matter and will release more details after more information is obtained from the parties.
