WOMAN MISTAKEN FOR SEX WORKER ASSAULTED BY COPS

MANZINI – “My only sin was to hitch-hike at night near a reputable hotel.” These were the words of a woman who alleged she was severely assaulted with a baton and kicks by police officers after she was found hitch-hiking near  The George Hotel last Thursday.

*Noma (35), who sustained severe injuries all over the body, said she was from LaMvelase Hospital on the day, where she was examined and given treatment as she was HIV positive and had contracted tuberculosis.
She said after the visit to the hospital, she decided to check on a friend who resided in town where they had a long chat which lasted until around 10pm.

“When I eventually decided to leave her place, it was already late and there was no transport to my place, Moneni. I went to the public road near the hotel and sat on top of my bag as I was feeling a bit weak. I am also epileptic so I felt like something was about to happen to me. As I remained seated on my bag, I took out my pills for epilepsy. That is when the police arrived in a Corolla sedan and started calling me names, saying I was a sex worker,” *Noma alleged.

She added that while trying to reason with the police, the officers allegedly started assaulting her with a baton and kicks all over the body. *Noma said she screamed and cried hysterically as the officers repeatedly assaulted her with the baton and kicks, further pinning her to the ground and calling her derogatory words that cannot be repeated.

“I told them that I was not in the sex trade business but was trying to get home. Out of anger, I spilled all my tablets on the public road and threw my hospital card, just to prove that I was sick and from receiving treatment in hospital. While I was being assaulted, I was further dragged to the car where I was driven to the traffic circle. Upon arrival there, the other police officer continued assaulting me, while the other watched,” *Noma further alleged.

She said a motorist who later informed her that he had witnessed the assault incident, arrived with another RSP vehicle. *Noma said the motorist stated that after witnessing the incident and out of worry, he decided to fetch other police officers from the police station.
“I refused to board the van after I had been ordered to do so as I feared for my life and I was bleeding.

Fortunately, a public transport vehicle approached the scene and the driver stopped.

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