South African police who arrested a Mozambican taxi driver before cuffing him to a police van and dragging him along the street have been suspended. The incident was recorded by a member of the public and broadcast on TV.
Police Commissioner Ria Phiyega thanked people for revealing “callous and unacceptable behaviour”.
The man is reported to have died in custody, and South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has already called the incident “horrific” and “unacceptable”.
Commissioner Phiyega said that the eight officers involved had been suspended and disarmed.
Speaking at a televised news conference, she also said the station commander had been removed from his post.
Action would be taken against any reports of police brutality, local media reported her as saying, adding that in her opinion South Africans have not lost faith in their police service.
Reports say police initially assaulted the 27-year-old driver, accusing him of parking his vehicle incorrectly in Daveyton, east of Johannesburg.
The video shows a large crowd gathering, as uniformed policemen tie him to a van, dragging him as they drive away.
He was later taken into custody, where he died, according to South African media reports.
Source: BBC