THE senior Limpopo police officer accused of severely assaulting a boy at a tavern has been rewarded with a promotion.

Instead of facing a charge of attempted murder - as police claimed he would when Sowetan exposed the case two weeks ago - he is now facing a lesser charge of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Sources at the Vaalwater police station near Modimolle confirmed that the policeman was appointed acting station commander when the incumbent, Captain KW Mpete, went on leave earlier this month.

Mpete returned to work on Monday.

The officer now faces a charge of severely assaulting Norman Mokau.

The assault, which took place in full view of the public on November 24, was secretly filmed by a bystander.

In the video clip, shown to Sowetan two weeks ago, the police officer is seen beating and kicking Mokau while dragging him towards a police van parked outside a local tavern.

The policeman throws Mokau into the van before driving away.

Yesterday, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi justified the police officer's appointment as acting station commander.

He said this had happened because he was the second in charge at the police station.

Mulaudzi also confirmed that the internal investigation against the officer had been completed.

He said the officer was served with a letter notifying him of police headquarters' intention to suspend him.

According to Mulaudzi, the officer had officially responded to the notice and the matter was now in the hands of the police legal services.

Mulaudzi also confirmed yesterday that a criminal case had been opened against the police officer. He is expected to appear at the Vaalwater Magistrate's Court on March 14.

Mokau said after being loaded into the van, he was taken to the police station where an ambulance was waiting for him.

He said he was taken to hospital and discharged the next day. Mokau then went straight to the police station and opened a case of assault against the officer.