(FXI/IFEX) – According to FXI, on 1 July 1998, the “Cape Argus” reported that Safety and Security Minister Sydney Mufamadi had apologised on behalf of his department to the “Cape Argus” editor, Moegsien Williams, for a brutal attack by police on reporter Thabo Mabaso. Mufamadi told Williams that he was “deeply saddened” by what had […]
(FXI/IFEX) – According to FXI, on 1 July 1998, the “Cape Argus” reported
that Safety and Security Minister Sydney Mufamadi had apologised on behalf
of his department to the
“Cape Argus” editor, Moegsien Williams, for a brutal attack by police on
reporter Thabo Mabaso. Mufamadi told Williams that he was “deeply saddened”
by what had happened. Danief Daniels, the police area commissioner for the
west metropolitan area, said that they are waiting for the complainant’s
statement and he would like to see the officers’ immediate suspension.
**Updates IFEX alert of 30 June 1998**
Meanwhile, on 1 July 1998, the National Assembly’s safety and security
committee called for a thorough investigation of the Gugulethu police
station to determine whether the
station was capable of providing the necessary service to the community.
Background Information
On 27 June 1998, Thabo Mabaso, a “Cape Argus” journalist, was allegedly
beaten by 10 policemen at the Gugulethu police station after reporting a
traffic accident. He was detained overnight and released the following day.
Mabaso was taken to hospital for treatment and discharged on 29 June, but
has lost sight in his left eye. The ANC Western Cape leader, Ebrahim Rasool,
called for the immediate suspension of the policemen on
duty at the time of the alleged assault. The Cape Town police launched an
internal investigation into the matter.
