Student cops accused of brutality

THE police in the Samora Machel informal settlement in the Philippi area are accused of beating up residents and being barely able to write statements.

The accusations come from residents and the ANC Youth League.

Last week the residents marched to the satellite station, which is in in a shipping container. ANCYL local chairperson Nico Mzalisi accused the police of brutality.

"Last Monday three police officers beat up a girl, accusing her of being reluctant to move out of the way for the police van" Mzalisi said.

"There are too many student police officers at the station who cannot even write a statement," he said.

The residents are also aggrieved that the station's name was changed from Samora Machel to Weltevreden Valley.

Siyabulela Mafo of the Ward Forum said: We want the police station to be named after Samora Machel - a person we know."

Residents also want a proper police station saying the area is dominated by gangsters and the station can't cope with crime levels.

Weltevreden Valley station commander JP Edas, said the police were still trying to find land to build a proper police station.