The OFM News team is in possession of the leaked VIDEO dating back to 2019, which shows a man identified as Tshediso Paul Mohale hunched over with his hands in cuffs inside a dog cage. Next to him is a barking dog from the K9 unit. 

The events surrounding the incident will play out in the Bloemfontein High Court as Mohale seeks R1,5 million in damages for the pain and suffering endured in the “dehumanising” and “unlawful” arrest. The OFM News team contacted Mohale’s legal counsel, Fannie Zim, regarding the incident and subsequent court bid. Olebogeng Motse elaborates on the details of the case and reports that the above-mentioned allegations are just the tip of the iceberg.

#Exclusive #BreakingNews: Free State suspect detained in dog cage. This is a developing story. #SAHRC @IPID_ZA @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/v0LFSSkM5r

— OFM News (@OFMNews9497) March 16, 2021 ">

#Exclusive #BreakingNews: Free State suspect detained in dog cage. This is a developing story. #SAHRC @IPID_ZA @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/v0LFSSkM5r

— OFM News (@OFMNews9497) March 16, 2021

According to Zim, four police officers arrested Mohale on 2 November 2019 for dealing in dagga, before raiding his home without a search warrant. It’s further alleged one of the arresting warrant officers made racial slurs when addressing Mohale before he was detained inside a dog cage at the back of a police van. 

Despite the arrest and raid, the applicant was released from prison two days after the incident and to date, the matter has not been placed on a court roll. Zim, says the dignity of his client was violated when racial slurs were directed at him. Furthermore, his placement inside a dog cage dehumanised him and “caused him suffering, pain and trauma”.

Free State Police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says: “Police Commissioner, Baile Motswenyane, regards this matter as very serious hence she instructed the District Commissioner to, with immediate effect, start with a departmental investigation to probe this matter. For now, we regard the matter as pending, and will allow the legal route to unfold”.

#FSdogcage Free State Police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says the Provincial Commissioner, Baile Motswenyane, takes the matter seriously and has instituted an urgent investigation as a result. He says the matter is sub judice.

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— OFM News (@OFMNews9497) March 16, 2021 ">

#FSdogcage Free State Police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says the Provincial Commissioner, Baile Motswenyane, takes the matter seriously and has instituted an urgent investigation as a result. He says the matter is sub judice.

Visit https://t.co/sKj49fI6Ad for more.

— OFM News (@OFMNews9497) March 16, 2021

Even more damning is the revelation that Mohale did open a criminal case regarding the racial slurs made in Hennenman, 15 days after the incident itself. A detective was assigned to the matter, but to date there have been no updates.

This development comes in the wake of the death of 35-year-old Mthokozisi Ntumba at the hands of police during a fees protest by students from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg last week. Ntumba – a husband and father to four children – was on his way back from a local clinic when he found himself in the middle of the protest chaos and ended up being struck by police.

The 35-year-old father and husband worked as a human settlements planner at the City of Tshwane and recently graduated with a master’s degree. His tragic death elicited calls for something to be done to rectify “trigger happy” attitudes/behaviour by public order policing officials during protest action, but also intensified calls for action against police brutality.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has launched an investigation into the incident and four police officers have since been apprehended.

IPID is also probing the death of 22-year-old Tembisa soccer coach - Musa Magasela – who was shot and killed in Clayville East by police who mistook him for a hijacker.

OFM News