South African police probed for dragging taxi driver behind van (VIDEO)
A member of the South African Police Services (SAPS) takes cover behind a wall from rocks being thrown by protesters during a farm worker strike on January 14, 2012 in Villiersdorp, a small farming town about 100 km borth of Cape Town, South Africa.
South African police are investigating their own after amateur video surfaced of officers dragging a handcuffed man behind a van Tuesday Johannesburg.
Video first surfaced on The Daily Sun newspaper’s website.
The 27-year-old taxi driver from Mozambique later died from his injuries, AFP reported.
Uniformed officers are milling about behind the van and at least one is carrying his weapon while crowds line the street.
“We are investigating an incident involving the death of man, allegedly at the hands of the police. We are shocked by the footage which has been released,” Moses Dlamini of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, told AFP.
South African President Jacob Zuma has condemned the incident, calling it "horrific" and "unacceptable."
"No human being should be treated in that manner," Zuma said.
Mido Macia was allegedly being questioned by police for parking in the wrong spot, according to BBC.
There are also accusations he might have tried to grab an officer’s weapon. He died after a beating at police cells, news reports say.
“The matter is viewed by the National Commissioner in a very serious light and it is strongly condemned,” South African police commissioner Riah Phiyega told BBC.
Police in South Africa are under increased scrutiny after a spate of recent high-profile deaths.
Amnesty International said that between April 2011 and May 2012, the IPID received 720 reports of suspicious deaths.
The video, below, might be disturbing to some viewers.
The story you just read is accessible and free to all because thousands of listeners and readers contribute to our nonprofit newsroom. We go deep to bring you the human-centered international reporting that you know you can trust. To do this work and to do it well, we rely on the support of our listeners. If you appreciated our coverage this year, if there was a story that made you pause or a song that moved you, would you consider making a gift to sustain our work through 2024 and beyond?