B&B owner ‘assaulted by drunk officers’

TULBAGH detectives are investigating cases of drunk driving and assault after a local B&B owner, Graham Hunter, was allegedly assaulted by two off-duty police officers.

Hunter, a former US Trooper who has been in South Africa for more than five years, said he intervened when he stopped the cars of the two officers, who were allegedly drag racing, and nearly killed a woman and her passenger in Tulbagh.

Police spokesman FC van Wyk said no one had been arrested in connection with the alleged assault and drunk driving.

“Cases of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and assault are being investigated by Tulbagh detectives. (The) investigation continues,” said Van Wyk.

In a letter he sent to the Cape Times, Hunter said: “Last night (Thursday) I was involved in a situation involving two off-duty police officers who were drunk driving, drag racing and almost killed a female and her passenger in a car. I had become involved and had stopped the two vehicles at a stop sign in congested traffic.” Hunter said he took the keys

from the car as “they (police) were obviously drunk”. He said he was headbutted and grabbed around his neck, and hit in the face.

“I was non-combative. They then assaulted me while the on-duty police were responding. Once on scene, I was assaulted right in front of the officers.”

Hunter said there were further instances where police were on the wrong side of the law.

“The on-duty officers refused to take action, refused evidentiary testing and allowed them to drive off.

“I was informed there was no need for evidentiary testing as you could still prosecute a drunk driver without evidence,” he said.

Hunter refused to provide contact details of the woman involved and other witnesses.

He said he had approached provincial police commissioner Arno Lamoer for help. Lamoer asked to be sent an e-mail, but had not responded by the time of publishing.