Accused man sues police minister

Ilse de Lange

A Doornfontein man who claims he was so badly assaulted by a group of policemen that he almost passed out has instituted a R450 000 damages claim against Police Minister Bheki Cele.

The damages claim by JeanPaul Smith is only expected to proceed in the High Court in Pretoria next year.

Smith claimed in court papers that he was at his home one morning in January when four SA Police Service members unlawfully arrested him in connection with an alleged business robbery, but was then forcefully and violently pushed to the ground.

The 31-year-old alleged one of the officers also stood on him while others hit him with a baton, kicked him on the stomach and back and pointing guns at him.

Smith said he sustained serious injuries to his ribs, back and face for which he needed medical treatment, was severely humiliated, suffered a loss of dignity and was severely traumatised.

He was detained for about 30 hours before he was taken to court and released on bail.

Smith, who laid an assault charge against the policemen, said in a statement he did not resist his arrest because the policemen had a warrant for his arrest.

The police denied that Smith was assaulted in any way.