12 March 2001

The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) has taken over the investigation of the incident in which a woman teacher was allegedly badly assaulted by the police and detained in a police cell for four hours on Friday 9 March 2001 in Hillbrow, merely because she was suspected of being an illegal immigrant.

The ICD is in the process of uplifting the docket from the police. An ICD investigative team has

started with its preliminary investigation into the incident and has already consulted with Ms Sylvia Manda the complainant.

On completion of its investigation the ICD will make recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecutions with regard to the prosecution of the alleged suspects.

The Executive Director of the ICD, Adv K D McKenzie, strongly condemns this attack, which smacks of xenophobia.

Issued by Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD)