The police brutality captured by a news photographer in Pretoria yesterday bears all the hallmarks of yesteryear.

The police brutality captured by a news photographer in Pretoria yesterday bears all the hallmarks of yesteryear.

Even if the prostitute cops were trying to detain fought back and resisted arrest, surely our police may no longer beat and kick a slip of a girl into a coma at will.

We acknowledge that our cops have a tough job to do under often appalling circumstances. But the violent arrogance of that officer who by witnesses' accounts perpetrated his savagery in front of scores cannot be excused.

And the response of his comrades who tried to hunt down the newsman who witnessed the event reminds us of a past we all hope never to witness again.

We demand an immediate inquiry into this barbarism.