Langa family accuses police of assault

A TRAUMATISED Langa family has accused police officers of assault and damaging their home, following a raid.

According to Anele Nomandla, the officers, who she said were from the task force unit, pinned her against a wall while her 25-year-old son had a firearm pointed at him and her nephew was allegedly kicked in the ribs on Wednesday night.

“(When) the police officers went to our home, I was at my neighbour's house. My nephew went to the bathroom, and heard a loud banging noise. He was not sure if it was coming (from) inside the house or outside and ignored it. When the sound happened again he went to investigate and just when he entered the dining room the police forcefully opened the door, breaking it. They demanded he lie down, stepped on him and kicked him in the ribs.

“Some of the officers proceeded to search the house and my son says while sleeping he felt something pulling the blankets. When he attempted to pull them back he saw a torch light in his face and the police officers shouted that he must remain in bed, while pointing (at) him with a firearm. As the door was opened he overheard my nephew being interrogated about who lived in the house, and when they didn't believe him, they asked my son, who told them the same thing - that it was just the four of us,” said Nomandla.

She said at the time her mother had locked herself in her en suite bathroom and hid because she thought criminals were robbing them.

“She contacted me, saying that I need to go back home as she thought there might be thieves in the house. The plan was to pass by the house to see if the door was opened so that I could contact the police. But to my surprise, outside the house a number of armed police officers were strategically stationed there. A police officer by the gate refused to tell me what was happening and prevented me from going inside. When I attempted to enter again about four police officers grabbed me and pinned me against the wall, and my night dress lifted up. I felt so humiliated and angry.”

Nomandla said after a few minutes, more officers came out of the house and went to another home down the street.

The Cape Times was shown the door which the family said was damaged during the raid.

“When they were leaving one said they were raiding because in our houses we hide criminals. The house was a complete mess.

“I accompanied my mother and we opened the case. My son is very traumatised. I'm planning to take him for counselling and my nephew will go to the doctor because his body is sore.

We have heard about police brutality many times and we have experienced it. We demand justice and hope this will not be swept under the rug but thoroughly investigated,” she said.

Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said Langa police were investigating cases of malicious damage to property and assault.

He said a 57-year-old woman lodged a complaint with the local police station yesterday.

“According to the complainant, she was at her residence in Zone 17 in Langa at around 23.15pm when unknown people entered the premises by force, looking for her son. The investigation into the matter is under investigation,” said Swartbooi.