Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi

Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi

A Johannesburg policeman has laid an assault charge against his colleagues.

Detective Inspector David Phogole, 37, of the Hillbrow police station, said he was beaten up by Roodepoort policemen who answered a domestic violence call to his house in Sundown, Roodepoort, on the afternoon of April 26.

"They came in and were all over me. They did not want me to explain," Phogole said.

"I was slapped, pushed and shoved around. They also broke furniture," he said.

He said he called the police to his house after he had had a quarrel with his wife.

"She had accused me of two-timing her. We were arguing and I thought she was becoming a bit rough so I called the police."

He said he was surprised when he realised that the policemen were aggressive towards him as a complainant.

"Those guys apparently had ideas other than helping me.

"I shudder to think about it. If they can do this to me, what do they do to ordinary citizens in this country?

"I was treated very badly by people who should be protecting me as their own.

"I am sure members of the community out there get worse treatment. Men in particular suffer," he said.

There were four policemen and it was their superintendent who led the assault," he said.

Phogole reported the matter to the Roodepoort police station. Roodepoort police confirmed that a case of assault was registered at their station.