A police officer, who assaulted his colleague at the Kroonstad South African Police
Service garage almost two years ago, was handed a suspended sentence on
Tuesday.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) said evidence led in
the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court proved that 36-year-old Warrant Officer Johan
Opperman assaulted Constable Frans Bors on 27 September 2022.  

IPID spokesman Phaladi Shuping said the pair had been on duty at the time of
the assault.

“During that altercation, which was concerning a work-related issue, Warrant
Officer Opperman assaulted Constable Bors with his bare hands in front of other
colleagues.”

“The incident was reported to IPID and investigators took over the case for
investigations. The docket was handed to the prosecutors after investigations
and Warrant Officer Opperman was charged for common assault.”

Opperman was found guilty as charged and sentenced to 24 months
imprisonment.

“The sentence was wholly suspended for a period of three years, on condition
that he is not found guilty of a similar offence during the period of
suspension,” said Shuping.