Brutality against unarmed women and children
WHAT happened on Saturday morning in Sea Point when a group of approximately 60 people, consisting mostly of women were peacefully protesting for freedom of choice, was shocking, disgusting and criminal.
Without any reason whatsoever, and we have the video material to prove it, SAPS officers targeted and violently assaulted women – some of whom were elderly – by hitting them with batons and shields and shouting sarcastic remarks and threats to use their water cannon. The group was within their rights, did nothing wrong and was in nobody’s way.
One lady suffered a severe cut under her eye where she was hit by a police officer and blood was running down the arms of another one who tried to protect her child.
Another lady was attacked from behind and hit so badly that she had to seek medical attention, receive injections for pain, wear a brace and go for X-rays.
A young boy was pinned to the ground by a police officer with a shield and is possibly so traumatised that he will never trust the police again.
My message to Messrs Dan Plato and Alan Winde is this: This brutality against unarmed women and children who were within their rights was committed by police officers under your control. Do not try to blame the central government for this.
We, the people, and especially those women that were so shamefully assaulted and harassed, deserve an apology from you.
In addition, you better ensure that every one of those police officers is charged and preferably dismissed from the police service.
We hold your administration accountable for what happened. There will be more protests coming up so please ensure that what happened on Saturday never happens again and that protesters are left alone to exercise their constitutional rights unhindered.
It is expected that lawsuits will be filed against the SAPS and the Western Cape government and of one thing you can be very certain: The brutality against our women and children will be remembered when we go to the polls for the municipal elections.
PA VAN WYK |