Given Mahlalela

Given Mahlalela

The Independent Complaints Directorate is monitoring investigations into charges of assault against three Mpumalanga police officers.

The three police officers, attached to Schoemansdal police station near Malelane allegedly assaulted an orphan for failing to reveal the whereabouts of his brother.

Mlungisi Matsebula, 17, said he was at home when three police officers confronted him about three weeks ago.

"They said they were looking for my brother and that I would pay dearly if I did not tell them where he was," Mlungisi said yesterday.

"After I had told them that my brother was not at home, the police demanded that I produce three bullets they claimed I was keeping in the house," said Mlungisi.

He claimed that when he could not produce the bullets the officers started beating and kicking him.

Mlungisi, a grade 10 pupil at Lugebhuta High School in Schoemansdal, said he would be happy to see his attackers behind bars.

He claimed the police officers were drunk when they assaulted him.

A case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was opened at the same police station against the officers.

Mlungisi was admitted to Shongwe Hospital and was discharged on the same day.

"We are waiting for the outcome of the police investigations.

"If any foul play is revealed by the investigations, we will intervene," ICD spokesman Dikeledi Phiri said yesterday.

Meanwhile, Schoemansdal police station commissioner Superintendent Dorah Xaba refused to comment yesterday and threatened to sue if her name was used in the newspaper.

"If you are going to write my name in your newspaper I will sue you," Xaba said.