Charge Maya assault cops, says ICD

The Independent Complaints Directorate has recommended that the policemen accused of brutally assaulting David Maya, of Balfour, in Mpumalanga, be charged and face internal disciplinary action.

The directorate has also referred the case, which took two years to investigate, to the director of public prosecutions, who will decide if the police officers should be prosecuted criminally.

Maya, 59, is the father of Zakhele Maya, the community leader who helped organise 2010 protests in Siyathemba township, on the outskirts of Balfour. Following the protests the police stormed into the Mayas' home, looking for Zakhele. When they did not find him they turned to his father and allegedly assaulted him.

Maya suffered serious injuries to his head, face and chest.

The community protested against poor service delivery, lack of jobs and the government's refusal to relocate the township to Gauteng.

A letter from the directorate's head office in Nelspruit to the Mayas reads: "We have recommended to the SAPS that the members involved be charged departmentally for the allegations of misconduct. You will be informed of the outcome of departmental steps and the decision of the director of public prosecutions."

David Maya, who was last year diagnosed by the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression as a result of his beating, said he was happy with the findings.

However, Zakhele said the directorate's letter was meaningless as it did not provide the family with information.

"We want to be empowered with information. We want to know what the investigation found. We want a list of the perpetrators. If there is to be an internal disciplinary hearing, we want to know the charges."

Directorate spokesman Moses Dlamini said investigating officers should have informed the family about the findings in writing.

"I will call the investigating officers and ask them to do so. Normally, the investigator must inform them of the findings in writing; it's policy."

He said the criminal matter would be dealt with by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

"If they decide not to prosecute, that ends the matter."

• In Wesselton, Mpumalanga, the ICD is investigating two deaths allegedly due to police action, six cases of malicious damage to property and 25 cases of assault.