Man allegedly pepper-sprayed and left by the wayside
VEREENIGING. – “Help! It burns!” the young man cried out for help, his face grimacing in pain as he crawled on his knees next to the Brandmuller Avenue, opposite Vosloo Park. The incident which happened at around 15:40 on Wednesday afternoon left him unable to see. His eyes were burning, and he was blinded as …
VEREENIGING. – “Help! It burns!” the young man cried out for help, his face grimacing in pain as he crawled on his knees next to the Brandmuller Avenue, opposite Vosloo Park. The incident which happened at around 15:40 on Wednesday afternoon left him unable to see. His eyes were burning, and he was blinded as one motor vehicle passed him after the other. He wasn’t even able to phone someone to fetch him as he couldn’t see on his cellphone.
After being brought a bucket of soapy water Kgosi Nathane washed his face and explained that he had just been pepper-sprayed by what he described as officials.
“They were driving a government car. Traffic police. I was calling my girlfriend. I think they were thinking I am calling the police or something. They really looked suspicious from my point of view. “There were kids (in the park). I was chilling with those kids for a while but walked away because I was talking to my girlfriend on the phone.
“I stood here (next to the road). Those guys (the officals) came in. They talked to those guys (the kids). They chased them (the kids) away. They slapped one of the boys. Those guys (the kids) ran. So while I am on the phone I tell my girlfriend that something is going on and that I would have to call her back.
“As I ended the call the officials quickly got in their car and rushed on over to me. They wanted to know who I was one the phone with. I told them I was on the phone with my girlfriend. They grabbed my phone. I told them they shouldn’t do anything to it because I will open a case. They gave the phone back. They slapped me. They tripped me but luckily because of my self defence classes I was able to stand my ground. Then they pulled out their pepper-spray, sprayed me and then they ran away.”
When asked what he was doing outside during the Level 4 lockdown Kgosi said that he was practising his self defence drills.
“I’m a fighter,” he said.
Kgosi later phoned a friend with assistance of a bystander, who would pick him up and take him to his home in Peacehaven.
When asked for comment kapt. Fikile Funda, a spokesperson for the Vereeniging police, said that he is not at liberty to comment unless an official case was opened with the police and there is a case number.
Kgosi said that although a case had not yet been opened, he would soon go to the police station to lay a charge.
The traffic department has not been reached for comment yet. Comment will be published as it comes available.
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