/ 18 February 2006

Police nab nude Nigerian

A Nigerian citizen stripped naked in protest on Friday when the Johannesburg metro police tried to arrest him.

Metro police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the incident began on the corner of Polly and Grahamstown streets in Jeppestown, where the man was repairing a car in the road.

This is forbidden by by-laws because of the oil and grease that is spilled on the road surface.

When metro police approached the man, he assaulted one of them, got into another car, and sped off, Minnaar said.

The metro police gave chase and caught up with the man in Von Wielligh Street in central Johannesburg, where they called for back-up.

The man then stripped naked to protest his arrest — but was nevertheless bundled into the back of a metro police van and taken to Johannesburg Central police station.

The man, in his early 30s, is to appear on the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of repairing a car on a public road, obstructing an officer in the course of his duty, assault, and public indecency, Minnaar said. — Sapa