EFF MP Naledi Chirwa is expected to appear in the Hatfield Magistrate’s Court in Pretoria over an alleged assault of a police officer. Image credit
EFF Member of Parliament Naledi Chirwa is expected to appear in the Hatfield Magistrate’s Court in Pretoria on Monday. Her Naledi Chirwa court appearance follows an alleged altercation with a police officer at Brooklyn police station last week.
The incident allegedly took place on Thursday night. According to reports, Chirwa went to the police station to have an affidavit commissioned. She had already signed the document before she arrived.
However, officers allegedly refused to commission it. They told her that she had to sign the affidavit in front of a commissioner of oaths. According to police, Chirwa became upset, and a confrontation followed. Police allege that she assaulted an officer during the argument.
Police then arrested Chirwa. Later that night, they released her on a warning to appear in court.
Chirwa disputes police version ahead of Naledi Chirwa court date
Chirwa rejects the police account. She claims that officers denied her service and mistreated her at the station. After the incident, she sought medical treatment for injuries. She also opened a counter case of assault against a senior police officer.
Furthermore, Chirwa alleges that police laid the assault charge against her to control the story about what happened. Similarly, the EFF maintains that police detained her unlawfully, denied her services and mistreated her.
So far, police have not publicly named the officer involved. Likewise, the formal charge against Chirwa has not been made public. Both sides have made conflicting claims, and the court has yet to test either version.
Chirwa first rose to prominence as a student leader during the Fees Must Fall protests. She later became one of the EFF’s most outspoken MPs in Parliament.
Commentary across social media platforms remains divided. Some users have questioned how a routine visit to a police station could end in an arrest. Others say no one, including a Member of Parliament, should put their hands on a police officer.
Read more: Malema Firearm Appeal: State Calls EFF Leader’s Arguments Absurd and Lacking Logic
Malema Khan Madlanga Commission: WhatsApp Messages Link EFF Leader to Crime Intelligence Boss