Woodstock police officers found guilty of assault

By Kim Saulse
03 December 2009

Two Woodstock police constables have been found guilty of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, yesterday in the Cape Town magistrate’s court.

Constables Candice Hendricks and Lorentia Hamilton battered Jonas Majila, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, three years ago while he was in unlawful police custody.

Hendricks, Hamilton and two other police students had been carrying out stop-and-search patrols in the area, when they apprehended Majila for alleged riotous behaviour.

The pictures of Majila which were entered into evidence during the case

The magistrate handed a 12-month suspended sentence to the two and an additional R8 000 fine.

Magistrate Byron Rixana said the accused put forward an inconsistent, contradictory and improbable account of the series of events of the night in question.

He added that the photographs taken by Bush Radio 89.5 FM solidified evidence of the injuries sustained by Majila and added to his credibility.

Majila said he is “relieved” now that justice has been served but still fears for his safety.

He recounted how he had been intimidated and threatened by certain police officers stationed at Woodstock since he laid the initial charge in November 2006, and fears it will continue even after sentencing.