A Pongola resident, Tariku Tenna Mamuye, is suing Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa and Minister of Transport Sbu Ndebele for R25000 each for crimen injuria and common assault.

Mamuye, 36, is originally from Ethiopia but now lives in Pongola in northern Zululand.

He is suing the ministers for R50000 following two separate incidents of assault by provincial traffic police last month.

He said the first incident happened while he was coming out of a public parking lot in Pongola. He also claimed a firearm was pointed at him.

"I was approached by four traffic policemen who asked for my driver's licence. I gave it to them, but they told me that I was a foreigner so I could not have a legal driver's licence.

"They tore it into pieces and assaulted me before taking me to a local police station, where I was detained," Mamuye said.

The following week he was again allegedly assaulted by two traffic officers. He recognised one of them from the previous incident.

"I was closing my shop when they came by and asked me why I was looking at them. Before I knew it they were assaulting me. I opened two separate assault charges and one of robbery at Pongola police station," he said.

Provincial police spokesperson Superintendent Jay Naicker confirmed that assault and robbery charges were being investigated against the police.

Mamuye's lawyer, Collins Madike, confirmed that his client was suing for R50000.

"The money is for assault, unlawful arrest and detention. My client was assaulted for no reason and had his legal driver's licence torn.

"When I up arrived at the police station I learnt that the police had laid a counter insult charge against him," Madike said.