Investigation underway after blind guitarist was dragged across the City Centre

Imogen Vollenhoven
10 July 2013

The Western Cape government said an investigation is underway after a blind man was forcefully dragged through Green Market Square by Metro Police on Monday. 

It is alleged that Goodman Nono did not have a permit to busk at that particular time.

Ministerial Spokesperson Greg Wagner said Dan Plato the Western Cape Minister of community safety and JP Smith the Mayco member for safety and security at the City of Cape Town has asked for a full investigation to determine if there was any wrong doing.

“Should any wrong doing be found that the necessary disciplinary action be taken against any officers found to be guilty of maltreatment or for using excessive force,” added Wagner.

Meanwhile the African National Congress in the Western Cape has condemned the incident. 

 

ANC Youth League Provincial Convener Muhammad Khalid Sayed said the attack undermines the essential values of respect for the most vulnerable, which young people expect Government and the police to uphold and promote. 

Sayed said that as the ANC Youth League they feel that the mayoral committee member JP Smith is completely out of order with his response.

“Where he calls for an investigation but at the same time he is taking the side of the police and the nameless people who have complained,” added Sayed.

Sayed also added that these by-laws that the City has is completely ridicules and as the ANC youth league they consider it to be a war on the poor.

He explains that it is a declaration of a war on the poor and also said that is absolutely ridicules that the person is only allowed to play his guitar during lunch time.