Shocking Police Assault Caught on CCTV: Two Officers Granted Bail After Attacking Woman in Bloemfontein Police Station

by Hope Ngobeni

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Two female police officers, a constable and a sergeant, accused of assaulting a 40-year-old woman inside the Heidedal police station in Bloemfontein, have been granted bail of R1,000 each. Their court appearance on Friday at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court followed their arrests the previous day.

The accused officers, Sergeant Mamorena Shuping and Constable Lucia Marumo, allegedly attacked Stephanie Booysen when she came to the station seeking help. According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesperson Lizzy Suping, Booysen had reported a domestic violence incident after her boyfriend violated a protection order.

Reports indicate that an argument erupted between Booysen and the officers, escalating into a physical altercation. A CCTV recording of the incident, lasting over two minutes, captured a disturbing sequence. In the footage, a female officer is seen entering the frame and slapping Booysen across the face. Another uniformed officer then pushes her toward the station’s entrance while Booysen attempts to resist.

The gravity of the incident has sparked public outrage. The South African Police Service (SAPS) acknowledged the severity of the allegations, with provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele confirming awareness of the video. He stated that Ipid had launched an investigation, while internal inquiries were also underway to determine the full circumstances of the assault.

Makhele further addressed the growing concerns from both the victim and the wider community regarding police brutality. He assured the public that SAPS was taking the matter seriously but emphasized that due process must be followed. He explained that existing labour laws outline the procedural steps required before officers can be suspended or removed from duty.

Free State police commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, reinforced this stance, highlighting that while SAPS does not tolerate misconduct or abuse of power, fairness remains a priority. The officers involved must be given the opportunity to present their side of the story, and a full investigationβ€”including events leading up to the incidentβ€”must be conducted before any final determinations are made.

The case has been postponed to March 7, pending a decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether the charges against the officers will be upheld. In the meantime, public discourse around police accountability and the treatment of victims at police stations continues to intensify, with many calling for swift and decisive action against those found guilty of misconduct.

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