Cape Town – Eight members of the Special Task Force members raided the house of police Sergeant Qhamani Welfare Maninjwa and allegedly beat him so badly he was admitted to ICU, but he says they raided the wrong house.
The police officer alleges he was beaten with knobkerries and sjamboks and he wants his colleagues to face justice for their actions. His eight-month-old son was reportedly also admitted to hospital after inhaling teargas that was thrown into the house.
A report showed that police were following up on a housebreaking and kidnapping case reported at Vosloorus police station. Maninjwa informed them that they were at the wrong house, News24 reported.
Maninjwa explained in detail how men in black balaclavas and civilian clothing, raided his house, breaking windows and demanding to see a firearm. He said he kept telling them that they were at the wrong house. He asked them to show their appointment cards, which they did not do. He said the officers pinned him down, handcuffed him and began assaulting him badly.
His wife then retrieved his police card but they then dragged him outside and held him at gunpoint. Maninjwa said he was scared and confused when he saw 10 vehicles parked outside. He further explained how he was placed in the back of one of the vehicles to be taken into custody. He was bleeding and struggling to breathe, he said.
Maninjwa was later released and admitted to Botshelong Empilweni Private Hospital in Vosloorus, where he spent four days in ICU and three days in a general ward.
“My urine was mixed with blood, and my kidneys were injured. When I was in hospital, I had many visits from my colleagues.” he said.
Maninjwa denied having any involvement in crime and demanded justice for the pain inflicted on his family.
“These guys from the task force are high-profile guys and are not supposed to be involved in these cases. They raided the wrong house. I was never involved in any housebreaking or kidnapping cases. They didn’t find anything at my house,” he said.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) confirmed it was investigating the case
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
