A Tembisa man nearly lost his life after he was allegedly shot and assaulted by the Rabie Ridge police two weeks ago.
Lawrence Ntuwiseni, 33, spent four days at Tembisa Hospital following the incident.
Four other people lost their lives, allegedly at the hands of the police, during a service delivery protest in Tembisa a fortnight ago.
The township erupted into turmoil after residents protested against high electricity tariffs, with the protests leaving the township reeling from the destruction of property and infrastructure.
Ntuwiseni claims he was walking home on the night of the riots when police stopped him. He told the police he had the right to walk at night, and the alleged assault began when he walked away.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has confirmed that a case of police brutality was being investigated following reports that the police assaulted a man who was reportedly arrested while on his way home.
Speaking to this newspaper, Ipid spokesperson Lizzy Suping said the investigation was still ongoing.
“Yes, there is an Ipid investigation under way (into) acts of criminality allegedly against the police action during the Tembisa unrest. We will pronounce on the outcome once the investigation is complete.
“For now we can confirm that a case of police brutality was brought to our attention and Ipid has sent its investigators to the victim. The victim was allegedly shot with rubber bullets and one of his eyes is no longer working. The victim was allegedly walking innocently from work when he was unlawfully arrested,” Suping said.
According to Raul Ndanduleni, the victim’s cousin, Ntuwiseni spent four days at the Tembisa Hospital after the alleged assault by the Rabie Ridge police, who also shot him multiple times with rubber bullets.
He said Ntuwiseni was shot with rubber bullets by the police after he tried to escape following a hellish night in the police cells.
As a result of the shooting, he has lost the use of his left eye.
Stones were reportedly also hurled at him, fracturing his legs.
“His left eye was completely damaged, and we have been told that he will no longer be able to use this, and his legs are still fractured,” Ndanduleni said.
He added that Ntuwiseni was at home, was unable to walk, and was recovering from the severe beatings he suffered.
“The situation is sad as they repeatedly took turns in beating him throughout the night, and the police from the morning shift continued with the beating the following day.
“He tried to escape through an open window and was shot with rubber bullets multiple times and was also hurled with stones which resulted in the fracturing of both his legs,” Ndanduleni said.
Ntuwiseni’s case is not the only one being investigated by Ipid following the Tembisa protests.
The police directorate said it was also investigating a case involving two of the victims reportedly killed by the Ekurhuleni metro police in the area.