Smit claimed that the official had first driven into her husband’s Ford Bantam bakkie, before pepper-spraying him as he lay defenceless on the ground.
The couple’s four-year-old son Emwee was also hurt during the incident after inhaling the noxious fumes
An incident involving a traffic officer's vehicle and a bakkie resulted in the official allegedly pepper-spraying a child, 4, while attempting to restrain the boy's dad
#StopWhiteGenocideInSA
Kimberley - A Kimberley family has opened a criminal case against a Sol Plaatje traffic official who allegedly pepper-sprayed a four-year-old child while attempting to restrain the boy’s father following an accident in Long Street on Monday afternoon.
Magriet Smit said on Wednesday that she and her husband, Willem, had laid a charge of common assault against the traffic official.
The traffic official and Smit’s husband were involved in an altercation following an earlier collision between Smit and a taxi on the corner of Long and Conrad streets.
Earlier this week, Smit claimed that the official had first driven into her husband’s Ford Bantam bakkie, before pepper-spraying him as he lay defenceless on the ground.
Read: 'Traffic cop pepper-sprayed my child’
The couple’s four-year-old son Emwee was also hurt during the incident after inhaling the noxious fumes.
“My husband was taken to hospital from the scene on Monday and was released on Tuesday after receiving treatment,” Smit said on Wednesday.
“Emwee was also hospitalised and treated for trauma after the accident. He will also be seeing a therapist to limit the psychological effects after what happened.”
Witnesses on the scene on Monday questioned the conduct of the official, saying that the official’s behaviour seemed irresponsible and excessive.
Police spokeswoman Major Dimakatso Mooi confirmed that the matter is being investigated.
“A case of common assault was opened at the Kimberley Police Station after a man was allegedly pepper-sprayed by a traffic official on Monday,” Mooi said.
“It is alleged that the officer pepper-sprayed the man as he was attacking the officer.
“The investigation continues.”
Sol Plaatje municipal spokesman Sello Matsie said that the municipality would await the completion of the criminal investigation before deciding on a way forward.
http://iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/case-against-cop-after-boy-pepper-sprayed-1989811
#StopWhiteGenocideInSA
