Two policemen involved in an altercation with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and her bodyguards will face criminal charges, according to a newspaper report on Tuesday.
This follows an incident in December last year in which the officers — Warrant Officer Jannie Odendaal and Constable Abel Twala — stopped Madikizela-Mandela’s car on the M1 North highway because it was reportedly 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.
A heated exchange followed, and Madikizela-Mandela allegedly yelled at Odendaal: “Who the fuck do you think you are?” according to the Times.
The Star, quoting bodyguard Jacob Monare, said Odendaal told the ANC national executive member and Member of Parliament: “I don’t give a fuck who you are, you get back to the fucking car.”
Madikizela-Mandela has demanded an apology, but Odendaal told Beeld: “I think she should apologise to me.”
Beeld newspaper reported that counter charges against the bodyguards and Madikizela-Mandela were dropped but the policemen, who are on suspension, would be criminally charged.
Prosecutor Kholeka Gcaleka of the National Prosecuting Authority said on Monday there was “enough proof” to prosecute. – Sapa