Four police officers in South Africa have been arrested for allegedly torturing a Nigerian man regarding his identity documents.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) said the four members of the Boksburg North Visible Policing unit were arrested on Wednesday, February 1st.
IPID spokeswoman Lizzy Suping said the victim and his friends were on January 9th accosted by the policemen, who demanded to see their identity documents.
Lizzy said: “When the victim could not produce an original copy of the required documentation, he was taken to the police station where he was allegedly assaulted and tortured by the officers. The victim was taken to hospital for medical attention where he was in a coma for nine days.”
Suping said the four officers, a sergeant and three constables, face charges of assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm and defeating the ends of justice.
“The four officers were arrested at their place of work today and will be detained at the Boksburg police station,” she revealed.
Their first arraignment before the Boksburg Magistrates Court is scheduled on Friday.
