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Naasir Kader, 17, left, and his cousin Mohammed Ziyaad Khan, 20, recount how Kader was allegedly assaulted by members of the SAPSA Tactical Response Task Unit. Picture: Claudine Senekal / The Ladysmith Herald
Most high school pupils remember their December holidays with fondness, as a time of relaxation after a long, hard year.
But for Naasir Kader, 17, working at his uncle’s supermarket in Ladysmith, the break turned out to be a time he would rather forget – the Grade 11 pupil was allegedly assaulted by a member of the SAPS Tactical Response Task Unit.
After he noticed traffic coming to a standstill outside Kwa-Mfundisi Cash and Carry in Illing Road on Tuesday afternoon, Kader went to see what was causing the commotion.
“I saw a bus stopping. There was a SAPS vehicle parked behind it and a van idling behind it (the police vehicle),” he said.
Kader said that one of the four officers in the vehicle called him and asked him if he had a problem with the way they had parked (between the two vehicles).
“I was really confused. I didn’t understand why they were asking me that,” he said.
Kader said he replied, saying that there was no problem.
“The cop who asked me the question then reached out of the window to try to slap me, but he missed,” he said.
Visibly angry, the police officer opened the vehicle’s door and kicked Kader in the face and began hitting him.
“I didn’t know what to do. I was shocked – the attack lasted about 10 seconds, but I can’t be sure,” he said.
His cousin, Mohammed Ziyaad Khan, 20, said that he heard the commotion and went outside to investigate.
“I saw them hitting him and I tried to put myself between them and him (Kader). I was too scared to do anything else,” he said.
Khan then called his father, who asked the police officers what was going on.
“They just took off. No explanation,” said Kader’s uncle and the owner of the shop – he wished to remain anonymous for fear of a backlash from police.
“I tried to get closer so I could take down the officer’s badge number and get his name, but they managed to leave very quickly.”
Kader’s father, Shaeem Kader, was appalled.
“He wasn’t doing anything wrong. This just makes me wonder what provoked the attack. Can we trust the people who are supposed to be protecting us?”
Kader has since filed charges. Police spokesman Captain Thulani Zwane confirmed that the incident had been reported.
“The matter is still under investigation and no arrest has been made at this stage,” he said.
– Daily News
Email: kamcilla.pillay@inl.co.za
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