Eight Officers Arrested in South African Dragging Death

VOA News
1 March 2013 (5:50AM)

Eight South African police have been arrested in connection with the death of a man who was dragged through the street from the back of a police van.

A spokesman for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate said Friday that the officers will be charged with murder.

Video of the incident shows 27-year-old Mido Macia being handcuffed to the back of a police vehicle in Daveytown, a township of Johannesburg. In the video, taken by a bystander, people urge the police to stop but the vehicle drives forward.

Macia, a taxi driver from Mozambique, later died in custody.

Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega said Friday a local police commander has also been removed from his post, as the investigation into the case continues.

South African President Jacob Zuma earlier condemned Macia's death, describing the video of the incident as "horrific, disturbing and unacceptable."

Media reports say Macia was stopped by officers Tuesday after he was allegedly obstructing traffic. Police say he became aggressive when they asked him to move.

His autopsy showed that he had head injuries and some injuries on his upper abdomen.

The video of Macia being dragged through the streets was released Thursday through a South African newspaper, the Daily Sun.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.