Johannesburg – Journalist Thembelihle Mkhonza told The Bulrushes that she was dragged out of a taxi and beaten up by police officers at Zakheni, Ladysmith, on Saturday afternoon.
Two other taxi passengers – a man and a woman were also inexplicably beaten up by the police, Mkhonza said.
The passengers had been ordered to disembark from the taxi. Mkhonza said she took a bit long to get out of the taxi because she had to wear her shoes.
“Before beating us, a police officer yelled that we think we are clever because we are from Johannesburg,” lamented Mkhonza, who was already in distress before the assault.
“We were coming from a funeral. We had just buried my friend’s brother in Zakheni and were headed back to Joburg in a taxi when the police stopped us.”
Mkhonza, who was left with bruises on her neck, face, and hand, said the police officers slapped her repeatedly.
Although she did not manage to film the actual attack, Mkhonza managed to record the group of police officers as they advanced aggressively toward her.
Other passengers in the taxi intervened to stop the assault.
When the taxi was back on its way to Johannesburg, they stopped at several police stations to try and make a report, but Mkhonza said they were turned away.
Mkhonza works for Independent Media.
The Bulrushes was yet to get comment from the police in Zakheni, Ladysmith.
Developing story…
