A South African Police Service (SAPS) Clocolan based Warrant Officer (WO) has been convicted of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. This follows an investigation by the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) into allegations that the policeman assaulted a father and his daughter (complainant) on 15 February 2008 in Clocolan, Free State.
It is alleged that the assault was sparked by a family dispute between the deceased’s family and her partner over who was entitled to bury her. The feud was also about who was the rightful heir to the deceased’s inheritance.
It is alleged that Warrant Officer Daniel Tau, a nephew of the deceased’s partner sjambokked the complainants when they refused to hand over the deceased identity document (ID). The complaints apparently went to open a case of assault but instead they were beaten up again by the same suspect at the police station.
The ICD was notified about the case in May 2010 and immediately took over the docket for further investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, the ICD referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a decision. The DPP decided to prosecute on 12 November 2008. The accused was charged with two counts of assault GBH.
Court proceedings were concluded on 17 August 2010 when the accused was convicted of one count of assault GBH and was acquitted on the other. The accused was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment or a fine of R4 000 wholly suspended for four years.
Enquiries:
Moses Dlamini
National Spokesperson
Cell: 082 809 1927
South African Police Service, SAPS, assault grievous bodily harm, GBH
