BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO police officers were arrested and charged with assault and defeating the ends of justice relating to the killing of Moses Mosepele, 45, in Soutpansfontein farm near Stella.  Two constables, Mazibuko and Nkele were denied bail after they appeared before Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

North West police spokesperson, Captain Paul Ramaloko said: “The two police officers allegedly joined a farmer, his wife and friends in assaulting Mosepele and his two friends after they were called to arrest them. The assaulted victims were accused of stealing livestock from the farm. They were subsequently arrested during the weekend after preliminary investigations implicated them.”

The Mosepele’s family launched a complainant regarding the police conduct.

Ramaloko said the suspects will now join their co-accused on Wednesday when the case resumes.

A 48 year-old farmer, his wife and five other suspects appeared in the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court for murder, two counts of attempted murder, assault and kidnapping on Friday. They were remanded in custody until Wednesday.

The acting provincial commissioner in the North West, Major General Jacob Tsumane raised a concern in the manner that the police allegedly failed to do their primary function.

“We can’t be associated with criminal activities while we are crime fighters. We will take severe measures against any police member found to be in the wrong side of the law.”  Tsumane said.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_