'COPS PEPPER-SPRAY BABY'

Blikkiesdorp residents are kwaad with police after the alleged assault of a local man, which also led to a three-year-old laaitie being pepper-sprayed. 

In a video seen by the Cape Times, the man is seen shaking on the ground while being violently held down by several officers.

According to an eyewitness to Tuesday night's incident, he had been beaten with a gun to his head. 

In another video, the man can be seen showing several gaping gashes on his head with blood flowing from several wounds. The baby is also seen crying while being held by his mother, after he was allegedly pepper-sprayed by the police. 

The victim, 39-year-old Marlon Petersen, said he was suffering from severe headaches and trauma since the incident. 

Petersen says: “I don’t feel well. My head is still in a lot of pain, I can’t even sleep at night. It’s not right what they do, they keep doing this with the people, not just with me.

"I have epilepsy, they assaulted me while I was getting a fit, they hit me on the head with a gun three times. I went to the hospital and they sent me to the police. The captain is looking for the registration of the van and for me to identify the policeman to open a case but they were wearing balaclavas.

Another resident, who had also allegedly been attacked the night prior, said police were coming in with balaclavas and no name tags, treating people in the most inhumane way.  

Brandon Arendse says: "I ask them are you a policeman or are you gangsters? I wasn’t sure if it was gangsters or police because they wore balaclavas with their faces covered."

In response to queries accompanied with a video of the incident, on why police were there and why the man was beaten or the baby pepper-sprayed, Western Cape police said the community should refer complaints to the Delft station commander. 

Police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooi said: “If they are serious about community policing then they are advised to approach the Station Commander of their local SAPS office to discuss these allegations which are at this stage not on record. The Station Commander will be the best person to provide direction for a positive relationship between SAPS members and the community.”