A North West policeman faces charges of assault and pointing of a firearm after a clash with a love rival at a Mahikeng pub.

Sergeant Mojalefa Bosigo and taxi driver Tshepo Tlhome came to blows at Redox, a drinking hole in Mahikeng, after Bosigo's girlfriend posted Tlhome's car as her Whatsapp profile picture.

After Bosigo saw the picture, he traced the owner of the car and allegedly assaulted him.

Tlhome said his relationship with the girlfriend ended after Bosigo confronted him on September 4.

"He grabbed me by my clothes and dragged me to the toilets, he hit me with his fists and kicked me hard, he then pointed a firearm at me and told me to leave his girlfriend alone if I still wanted to live," he said.

Tlhome said he cut all contacts with Bogosi's girlfriend and opened a case of assault and pointing of a firearm.

"I want justice to be done, he told me that I am wasting my time by opening a case against him because he was in the police service and that he won't be arrested.

"I need to live a normal life, this man is a threat to my life."

But Bosigo said Tlhome should be taught a lesson. "That man is a wanted man, I opened a case of assault against him as well. He thinks that because his father is a police officer he is special, he was having an affair with my girlfriend, I do not want to talk about this."

Provincial police spokesman Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed that a case of common assault had been registered against Bosigo.

"No one has been arrested and investigations are continuing. We are unable to confirm at this stage whether or not Bosigo [also] opened a case," he said.

tshehleb@sowetan.co.za