In a statement, the Free State police spokesperson Motantsi Makhele says the incident took place in St Helena, in Welkom, where two police officers were on patrol when they came across a man not adhering to coronavirus regulations by not wearing a mask. According to Makhele, they allegedly warned him to wear the mask, as he then started insulting them.

One of the suspects opened a case of assault against the police officers, to be investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). It is alleged that the police duo already knew the suspect. The officers laid charges of common assault, resisting arrest and failure to wear a mask, as well as interfering or obstructing the police while performing their duty and Crimen Injuria. Welkom detectives and IPID are investigating these cases and no-one has been arrested yet.

“As required by the law, they had to arrest him for refusing to wear a mask after he was warned. Unfortunately, while they were executing the arrest, there was a scuffle while other bystanders also tried to prohibit the police from arresting the suspect. It is during this scuffle the masks of these police officials fell off," says Makhele. 

Seeing that the community was starting to become violent, the members decided to withdraw with the intention to reinforce. After the two officers got into the car, one member of the community kicked the door of the vehicle, allegedly injuring the warrant officer’s arm.

The Provincial Commissioner, Baile Motswenyane, says “the matter must be thoroughly investigated to get to the bottom of what really transpired from both sides. We appeal to our communities that they must allow the law to take its cause. The fact that the two police members involved are white should not allow us to jump to conclusions until we get the truth about what really prevailed through both our investigation and that of IPID. It’s unfortunate that the video only shows the part where the police were restraining the suspect and not what transpired from the beginning,” he concluded.

OFM News/Blaine Jones