Sergeant sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for assault GBH, Viljoenskroon – Free State

The Viljoenskroon District Court on 11 April 2014 sentenced 35 year old Sergeant Ishmael Mokhotu to six (6) months imprisonment or a fine of three thousand rand (R3000) for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). The sentence was suspended for four (4) years. The sentence follows an IPID investigation into the assault of 42 year old Linda de Beer at Viljoenskroon SAPS.

It is alleged that on 26 January 2013 at about 02:00 the complainant went to Viljoenskroon Police Station to get assistance from police officers but he was screamed at and slapped. A case docket of assault common was opened but the suspect was charged with assault GBH due to the injuries sustained by the victim.

The IPID welcomes the court’s decision to convict the accused and asserts that members of the public should not be abused by police officers, rather they should be assisted with courtesy and professionalism.

Issued by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.

For enquiries:
IPID National Spokesman
Moses Dlamini
082 809 1927
mdlamini@ipid.gov.za