South African officers involved in “police drag” case are suspended

Taxi driver Mozambican migrant Mido Macia died after suffering from head and other injuries including internal bleeding

11:23 01 March 2013

South African policemen who were implicated in the death of Mido Macia, a Mozambican taxi driver, were suspended. The officers tied Mido to a back of a van and dragged him. A bystander recorded the incident, which later became viral.

Mido died of head injuries and internal bleeding after he was arrested in Daveytown, east of Johannesburg.

Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega said that the policemen displayed “callous and unacceptable behaviour.”

She added that the eight officers implicated in the death of the taxi driver had been suspended and disarmed. In addition, the local station commander had been removed from his post.

South African Police Service released a statement – which is quoted by the BBC - saying: "From the video which has gone viral, it is obvious that the rights of Mido Macia were violated in the most extreme form."

"The behaviour displayed in that video, when it is committed by police who are expected to serve and protect, is to be abhorred.”

On the other hand, South Africa’s Police Watchdog, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, had confirmed yesterday that investigation was underway.