The Makhado Police has launched an internal investigation into the conduct of a police officer caught on video while threatening a journalist of the Zoutpansberger.

The journalist was trying to photograph police officers making an arrest of two suspected thieves. The incident, which took place a fortnight ago, happened near the corner of Joubert and President Street in Makhado (Louis Trichardt), almost right in front of the offices of the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror. Minutes before the incident, the newspaper was called to witness an apparent act of “mob justice”. As it turned out, officers from the Makhado SAPS appeared to be roughing up two suspected burglars who had allegedly robbed a church in Eltivillas. 

When a journalist from the newspaper arrived on the scene and tried to take a picture of the two male suspects lying face down on the sidewalk, an officer confronted the journalist, threatening to break the journalist’s camera. This officer was later identified as W/O Edward Nkhangweni Ramuthuthu. At the scene, he did not identify himself when asked to do so by the journalist.

The officer’s threats were captured on video and the journalist eventually managed to get a picture, despite the officer’s protests. In the video, the journalist can be seen kneeling down to take a picture, with Ramuthuthu shouting: “I will damage that camera of yours. Who gave you permission? Go away with your camera; go away with your camera!”

He further informed the journalist that there is a spokesperson that can “give the allowance” and then ordered her away. “I’m giving you an order to go away. I’ll break that camera of yours. I’m warning you,” Ramuthuthu shouted.

Following the incident, the newspaper approached the provincial office of the police regarding Ramuthuthu’s threatening behaviour. Upon receiving the newspaper’s media enquiry, the provincial police spokesperson, Col Ronel Otto, said that they would look into the matter and advised the newspaper to either lay a charge against Ramuthuthu or bring the matter to the attention of the station commander of the Makhado SAPS. The newspaper opted for the latter option.

The local station commander, Col Francois Ramovha, responded in writing this week, confirming an internal investigation into Ramuthuthu’s conduct. “An officer has been assigned to investigate the allegations contained in your letter and should it be that the member was on the wrong side, steps will be taken against him,” reads Ramovha’s response.

Makhado police spokesperson Capt Maano Sadike reaffirmed the investigation, saying that the police were not afraid to investigate their own and would not hide anything under the table. 

In the letter to Ramovha, the newspaper also mentioned the fact that this was not the first time that Ramuthuthu’s behaviour had reflected badly on the image of the Makhado SAPS.

On 19 April this year, Judge J Makgoba in the North Gauteng High Court labelled Ramuthuthu and a fellow officer, Sgt Bethuel Makananise, as “tough, uncompromising and regrettably arrogant police officers.” This classification was made by the judge in a case where Mrs Issie Combrink of Makhado (Louis Trichardt) claimed damages from the Minister of Safety and Security for wrongful arrest by the police. Ramuthuthu and Makananise arrested Combrink for allegedly being in possession of suspected stolen property in the form of scrap metal. She was later cleared of all charges against her after providing proof of her innocence. Judge Makgoba ordered that the Minister of Safety and Security, Ramuthuthu and Makananise pay Combrink the sum of R60 000 in compensation, as well as all her legal fees.

Sadike said that, as soon as the investigation was completed, the newspaper would be informed of its outcome.