POLICE ASSAULT BLINDED REPORTER'S EYE

A "Cape Argus" journalist Thabo Mabaso, on June 27 was allegedly
beaten by 10 policemen at the Gugulethu police station after reporting
a traffic accident. He was detained overnight, released the following
day. Mabaso was taken to hospital for treatment and discharged on
June 29, but has lost sight in his left eye. "Cape Argus" editor Moegsien
Williams said that he was shocked and appalled by the alleged assault
on Mabaso. Meanwhile, the ANC Western Cape leader Ebrahim
Rasool has called for the immediate suspension of the policemen
on duty at the time of the alleged assault. Rasool said that those
responsible did not deserve to be members of the SA Police Service
and had shown no respect for the constitution and the country's laws.
However, the Cape Town police had launched an internal investigation
into the matter.

ENDS