THE POLICE officer who allegedly assaulted a photographer from The Star last week has in turn laid charges of assault against the four officers who restrained him.
Charges of intimidation, assault and malicious damage to property were opened against Lieutenant-Colonel Pedro Magadidzha after he attacked Dumisani Sibeko at the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Magadidzha had been testifying in the case of nine police officers accused of kidnapping an alleged druglord and selling his VW Golf.
After the case was adjourned, Magadidzha charged at Sibeko, who was taking pictures of him coming out of court. He wrestled Sibeko and managed to grab his camera from him. He then flung Sibeko’s camera, breaking its lens.
Magadidzha held the camera tightly and walked towards an office, demanding that Sibeko delete the pictures.
When Sibeko refused, another scuffle ensued. As they were pushing and shoving, some metro police officers intervened.
Yesterday, police spokesman Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said: “The four officers were brought in at the Moroka police station to write statements as witnesses in Sibeko’s case against Magadidzha. They have not been arrested, but a charge of assault has been made against them by Magadidzha. The charge will be taken to the prosecutor in the matter to decide what action to take.” – Vuyo Mkize and Lebogang Seale