What SAPS say

The police in Mpumalanga issued a statement confirming that they are aware of the video making the rounds on social media.

“This incident is unfortunate and shows lawlessness on the part of the individuals involved as a police station is not a battle ground.

“The conduct of the people who were involved in the physical fight is unacceptable and the man who appears on the video and is seen being pressed down to the ground (Barend Byliefeldt) is urged to register a criminal case for investigation purposes,” said Brig Leonard Hlathi, spokesperson for Mpumalanga SAPS.

The district commissioner of Ehlanzeni, Maj Gen Dianah Mashele, established a team led by two senior police officers to probe this matter departmentally.

“A criminal case of malicious damage to property and crimen injuria has been opened against Barend Byliefeldt as he is accused of colliding with a certain vehicle and allegedly uttering racial slurs,” Hlathi said.

He said the police would like to inform the public that the Independent Police Investigation Directorate is aware of this incident and that SAPS will investigate the matter without any fear or favour.