Saturday, October 15, 2011

Cop attacks newspaper photographer-- 9 Soweto Officers charged for criminal offences




Cop attacks newspaper photographer
2011-10-14 14:08

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Johannesburg - Charges have been laid against a police officer said to have attacked a photographer from The Star, the newspaper reported on Friday.

Charges of intimidation, assault, and malicious damages were laid against Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Magadidzha after he and photographer Dumisani Sibeko were involved in a scuffle at the Protea Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

Magadidzha testified in a case involving nine police officers charged with corruption, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstance, and assault.

He apparently charged at Sibeko after the case was adjourned and wrestled the camera from him. He allegedly flung the camera, breaking its lens.

"Why are you taking pictures of me without permission," he reportedly yelled at Sibeko.

The newspaper said the officer grabbed the camera before Sibeko could run away, then went to an office demanding that Sibeko delete the picture.

Another struggle ensued between the two.

The charges were laid at the Moroka police station.

The nine Soweto police officers have been granted bail of R5 000 each.


- SAPA

Read more on: police | johannesburg | soweto | media

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