Police are accused of assaulting a Ladysmith couple in an incident that left the man’s hearing aid broken, a case now under investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).

Jenevieve Cloete, 23, and her 27-year-old husband Romario were driving home after dropping off a friend on November 15 when Ladysmith police pulled them over at around 9:30pm. 

Recounting the events of that evening, Jenevieve said: “We were driving in town when a police van put its flickering lights on and off. We thought they were probably chasing someone, so we pulled into the Shoprite parking lot to move out of their way. Then one van stopped in front of us and one at the back. Our windows were down.

“The officer came to the window and asked my husband, ‘Why are you driving? You don’t have a license.’ My husband is deaf. Before I could respond, the officer grabbed the door open. I tried to make a video, then another officer grabbed my phone. The officer violently pulled my husband out of the car. My husband was stomped in the face and pepper-sprayed. The foot was pressed so hard in his face that his hearing aid was damaged in the process. Then one said, ‘Take her for riotous behaviour’ because of my phone. We were loaded into different vans. They drove around with him falling around in the back before taking him to the police station. They wouldn’t tell us their names or why we were stopped or even arrested.

“After seven hours in the cells, they let us know why we were there. They say both of us were arrested for riotous behaviour. It does not make sense because they are the ones who stopped us and then proceeded to mistreat us. I don’t know what agenda they had to treat us like that. We are not people who break the law. We are still traumatised. My husband’s ear is also still in pain.”

The couple said they were struggling to come to terms with the behaviour of police officers meant to protect them, saying in that moment they felt “powerless”.

“I am just looking for justice, that’s all.”  

They are both now receiving therapy.

Western Cape police confirmed the matter was being investigated by Ipid.

Ipid spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said the directorate’s George office was probing the alleged assault.

“We have received the complaints and have telephonically set up a consultation with the complainant for next week Wednesday. The complainant was not available hence an appointment was made for next week. The case is under investigation by our George office,” said Shuping.

Cape Times

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