OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Wednesday
SIX South African policemen have been arrested after shocking video footage of police dogs being set on suspected illegal immigrants was aired on nationwide television, police Commissioner Jackie Selebi said.
At least six police officers, all of them attached to the Northeast Rand dog unit, participated in the gruesome game, in which it seemed as if the police officers involved enjoyed releasing their dogs on the three detainees. The 40-minute film was shot two years ago.
None of the three men were wearing protective clothing, and the footage showed them writhing on the ground in pain as the policemen incited their dogs with shouts of “rim the kaffir”, holding the leashes as the animals mauled the men. The camera repeatedly focused on bleeding wounds on the men’s arms and legs. One of the officers is seen slapping a suspect on the head as he screams in pain.
Commissioner Selebi said the six would be charged with attempted murder. He has appointed a group of detectives to probe the incident.
Selebi and Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete told reporters they had been shocked at the racism and brutality displayed in the footage.
“I am horrified and outraged. This blatant display of racism is likely to cause serious racial tension and might dent our international image,” Tshwete said.
The South African police force is still reeling from footage aired by the BBC in April last year in which police officers from Johannesburg’s flying squad were shown kicking and beating two hijackers, one of them seriously injured, after their stolen car had ploughed into a tree.
The hijacker injured in that accident subsequently died in hospital from brain injuries received in the crash. Two policemen involved in the incident were fined.
Selebi said that he was “aware of the fact that pockets of racism do indeed exist [in the police], but I am shocked to know that some members can act like this.”
“Although the footage was apparently filmed in 1998, the fact that the police officials concerned are still serving … and possibly continuing with their barbaric acts, is cause for deep concern,” he said. – AFP