On Tuesday, March 4th police tied Mido Macia, a 27-year-old boy from Mozambique to the back of a police vehicle because his taxi was allegedly obstructing traffic, and then allegedly assaulted a constable. Police officials who were in marked uniforms and tied Macia’s hands above his head to a marked vehicle all in the presence of cameras. The shocking footage online depicts the scenes, starting at the vehicle driving off slowly, to stopping, and then the police grabbing Macia’s feet, and watching the vehicle drive off quicker, then letting go of his feet all together while the continues to speed away. Miraculously he did not die then, but later in a cell on late Tuesday at the police department. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate said he suffered head and abdomen injuries, including internal bleeding. They were uncertain about the if he died as a result from the dragging, or later being beaten in jail.
This has caused an uproar, although the National Director of Lawyers for Human Rights stated that “As horrific as it is, it is not exceptional. Hardly a week goes by without such stories of brutality.” The article goes on to say an average of 860 people died between 2009-2010 in police custody or as a result of police action. This rate has increased since 2003-2008 only 695 died. Whether it is police brutality, or a lack of aid from the police officials, crime globally needs to subside, and the text book offers a solution on page 144, simply hold police to a higher standard.
Deborah Hilton
3/6/2013
6:40
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/28/mido-macia-dragged-by-south-african-police_n_2780804.html
(FYI: The video is a little hard to watch)
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