Robert Nzare, a Zimbabwean immigrant, says he was severely injured in an attack with a baton at the Zimbabwean consulate in Bellville. Nzare claims that he was handcuffed and assaulted on returning to the centre after trying to claim his passport. Picture: Gareth Smit Robert Nzare, a Zimbabwean immigrant, says he was severely injured in an attack with a baton at the Zimbabwean consulate in Bellville. Nzare claims that he was handcuffed and assaulted on returning to the centre after trying to claim his passport. Picture: Gareth Smit
A Zimbabwean was allegedly severely beaten at his country’s consulate in Cape Town - and the security employee who helped him has lost his job.
Robert Nzara, 30, pressed charges on Saturday against the head of security at the Zimbabwe consulate in Bellville after he was allegedly handcuffed and repeatedly struck over the head and back with a baton.
Nzara was attempting to pick up his new passport last Wednesday, when he alleges James Ketelo, 42, the Zimbabwean head of Daring Security, handcuffed and led him away to a police station.
Police released Nzara, but told him not to return to the consulate that day. When he nevertheless returned, apparently because he needed to collect money from his brother, he was once again handcuffed before being struck repeatedly.
“He asked the other security guy to pass him the baton. I was beaten on the head more than eight times… I fainted and fell down,” he said. “I can’t believe I’m still alive.”
A copy of the medical report said “assault - severe injury to head, neck and back”.
Nzara’s account was corroborated by Guy Kaniki, a 29-year-old Congolese security guard from the consulate, who worked with Ketelo for Daring Security. Kaniki said he had lost his job after freeing Nzara from the handcuffs when he realised the severity of the beating.
“He was seriously beaten. He (Ketelo) was doing it as if he was trying to kill him. People were screaming and everyone came to try and stop him. I opened the handcuffs and told him to run.”
Kaniki said Nzara was doing nothing wrong, and was demanding his passport in a restrained manner. Kaniki said Ketelo was returning with a handgun when he decided to free him.
Nzara said that when he returned the following morning, Ketelo told him to go to the police station and sign an affidavit apologising to the Zimbabwean government.
He allegedly said he could make it difficult for Nzara to return home and could dig up information about his family in Zimbabwe. He also allegedly said Nzara would not receive a passport if he did not co-operate. Nzara is now applying for refugee status.
Ketelo denied having used excessive force on Nzara, and denied carrying a handgun.
He said Nzara was drunk and threatened to attack officials with a gun.
“I grabbed him and we struggled. Intentionally or unintentionally he clapped me in the head.
“I tried to neutralise him with the baton stick,” he said.
Ketelo admitted to having fired Kaniki for freeing Nzara from the handcuffs, saying he had abandoned his duty.
Braam Hanekom, of refugee rights group Passop, said police would charge Ketelo with assault. - Cape Times