TimesLIVE reports that the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has expressed shock and “disgust” at allegations that the president of the SA Policing Union (Sapu), Mpho Kwinika, was "assaulted" by police officers at the weekend.  

According to Saftu, eight police officers in Sunnyside, Pretoria, arrested Kwinika on what it termed “trumped up” charges and assaulted him without provocation.  National SA Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brig. Vish Naidoo confirmed the arrest, but was adamant that police operated "within the confines of the law".  He also claimed - without providing specifics - that there was "resistance" during the arrest, which allowed officers to use "minimum force".  In its statement, Saftu said:  This assault lasted several hours and in this process they broke his arm, burst his eardrum and [he] has suspected broken ribs.  In the ordeal, that lasted six hours before [he was charged], they refused him his right to inform his lawyers and family and also refused him medical treatment.”  According to Saftu, Kwinika was denied access to a toilet and was forced to sleep in his own urine.  The federation said it would write to President Cyril Ramaphosa to order an investigation into what happened.  Kwinika is set to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

• Read the full original of Nomahlubi Jordaan’s report on this story at TimesLIVE

Read Saftu’s press statement on this matter at Saftu News

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