The police officer in the alleged altercation with African National Congress (ANC) veteran Winnie Madikizela-Mandela laid criminal charges against her in Pretoria on Friday, trade union Solidarity said.
Warrant Officer Jannie Odendaal filed charges of defeating the ends of justice, assault and reckless and negligent driving against the ANC national executive committee member and her bodyguard at the Brooklyn Police Station at midday.
Solidarity is supporting Odendaal who is a member of the union, said deputy general secretary Dirk Hermann in a statement.
“We will not allow that the political elite intimidate members of the police who are merely performing their duties properly,” Hermann said in a statement.
Odendaal and Constable Abel Twala stopped Madikizela-Mandela’s car on the M1 north in Johannesburg in December because it was allegedly being driven recklessly at 150km/h.
The officers said they believed the silver Audi A6 with tinted windows was “suspicious”.
But after stopping the vehicle, a bodyguard got out and told Odendaal Madikizela-Mandela was in the car.
‘One-sided’ investigation
An argument between the bodyguards and police officers is alleged to have ensued.
The bodyguards have laid a complaint with police of pointing a firearm and intimidation.
The police officers face an internal investigation.
In line with the police’s internal disciplinary regulations the officers were temporarily transferred until the investigation is concluded. They also had to hand in their guns.
Hermann expressed concern over the “one-sidedness” of the investigation of the charges against Odendaal.
“Time after time the impression is created in the media that Odendaal is the one who has to be investigated, while he was only doing his job. Madikizela-Mandela and her bodyguards are the ones whose behaviour on that day should rather be investigated,” he said. — Sapa