This as six police officers are alleged to have assaulted former SABC journalist, Paul Nthoba, on Friday afternoon while gathering news in the area focusing on the Covid-19 news coverage for the community newspaper he had launched.  

Nthoba, who is believed to be in hiding for fear of his life, recently reported that he was punched, kicked and insulted by police officers who were not happy with him taking their picture. 

In 2019, OFM News reported that seven police officers from Ficksburg were found guilty and were sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in the Bloemfontein High Court for corruption, racketeering and contravention of the Immigration Act. 

The region also came in the spotlight in 2011 when an unarmed civilian, Andries Tatane, was shot dead by police officers during service delivery protests in that area. The police are yet to comment.

These officers we're since acquitted in the Ficksburg Regional Court in March 2013.

Reacting to the alleged incident, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), said it is deeply disturbed about the abuse of Nthoba.

"However, we are even more disturbed to hear of the abuse and incarceration he subsequently experienced at the Ficksburg Police Station, where he went to lay an assault charge.  "Nthoba was profiling the visibility of the police members who were making sure that citizens were adhering to the lockdown rules and regulations. 

"Nthoba reported that he saw the police patrolling the streets, and he captured a few photos. However, the police members objected and they accosted him, confiscated his phone, and told him that he had not explicitly requested their permission," SANEF says 

SANEF adds that during this an argument ensued, and these officers started attacking, insulting, and assaulting him. The forum has an audio recording of this abusive interaction.

"SANEF is deeply concerned to hear about this abuse out in the field – but also, even more worryingly, at the police station, the very place where Nthoba had sought refuge and to hold the police offices accountable," the forum further adds.

Meanwhile, National Police Spokesperson, Vish Naidoo, says the matter is being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

OFM News