Cop 'attacked me'

A JOBURG photojournalist has accused the police of failing to arrest a senior policeman who allegedly assaulted him a week ago.

Dumisani Sibeko, a photographer at The Star, said he was assaulted by a senior police officer while trying to take photos of the cop.

The lieutenant colonel, who is based at the provincial detective unit, had just given evidence in a case involving nine police officers in the Protea magistrate's court when he allegedly attacked Sibeko for taking his photographs.

He was testifying against Rosta Muthaphuli, Jane Mavuna, Albert Selepe, Patience Manganyi, Comrade Mntambo, Elijah King Ndlela, Gift Mashele, Richard Maswanganyi and Clive Memela, who are facing charges of corruption, kidnapping, robbery and assault.

Sibeko said the policeman charged at him and pushed him to the ground.

The two men wrestled for the camera and the police officer allegedly flung the camera down, breaking its lens.

The photographer later laid charges of intimidation, assault and malicious damage to property at the Moroka police station.

"Had it not been for the Metro police officers who intervened I don't know what might have happened," Sibeko said.

He said the incident humiliated him and his camera was damaged.

Provincial police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Tshisikhawe Ndou said the matter was being investigated.

"The investigating officer told me he was going to obtain outstanding statements from witnesses before the docket is sent to the director of public prosecutions for a decision," Ndou said.