A parent says Law Enforcement officers abused their power by shooting people with rubber bullets and assaulting her son in their driveway, as they were chasing looters who had been wreaking havoc on the R300 highway this week.
Lameez, 35 and Abduraghmaan Majiet, 48, who lives in New Woodlands adjacent to the R300, say their family and neighbours had not been part of the looting of a truck which saw the arrest of four suspects on Wednesday.
The parents and their son Rushdien, 17, had been standing outside their home with neighbours watching the drama unfold when officers ran in their direction.
BEATEN’: Rushdien Majiet, 17, of M.Plain
“When we saw the Law Enforcement officers racing towards us, I told one of the officers can I get my son,” Lameez says.
But she says the officers swore and broke the door.
“Rushdien had just gotten into the house when they broke the lock.
“They ripped his T-shirt and dragged him outside and a neighbour filmed what was taking place. They let go of him and left.
“We know it’s a lockdown, but they did not have to treat us like we were the criminals.”
Cops dragged Rushdien outside. Video supplied
Abduraghmaan adds: “I asked how they could swear at my wife and I wanted to go into the house when one of them gunpointed me.”
A 31-year-old neighbour says officers shot her with a rubber bullet: “I asked them why they were shooting at the public and they said they are done shooting warning shots and shot me in the back.”
ATTACK: The 31-year-old neighbour’s wound
Lameez says they intend on opening a case with police.
Inspector Wayne Dyason spokesperson for Law Enforcement says they will be investigating the family’s claims.