Eastern Cape Hawks investigator Captain Luphumlo Lwana has found himself on the wrong side of the law. The King William’s Town Magistrate’s Court found Lwana guilty of assaulting social worker Noluvuyo Mekuto in 2009.
Magistrate Nkosinathi Mjekula sentenced him to three months’ in jail or a R3000 fine, wholly suspended for three years.
Lwana, who is involved in investigating the Mandela memorial fund scandal, said on Friday he would appeal the November 19 judgment against him. He said discrepancies in the trial would form the basis of his appeal.
Mekuto said she was happy the matter been finalised after “dragging for ages”.
According to an affidavit from Mekuto, Lwana had visited her mother, who lived in a state house, to ask about its occupancy in January 2009.
“Because that state house was previously occupied by me, I told Lwana and his female colleague that any questions should be directed to me and not my mother, who was sickly at the time,” Mekuto said.
The woman said Lwana yelled at her and accused her of obstructing him while conducting his duties.
“I told him I was there to answer his questions and assist in whatever he was investigating. However, he got angry and called police saying he was arresting me for obstructing justice.
“As I was calling my husband, he grabbed and twisted the hand which had my phone.”
The woman said she fell to the floor and accused Lwana of grabbing her by the neck and pushing her. She said she had a “bruised, painful neck”, and scratches on her legs and knees. She also claimed she had suffered from depression as a result.
Lwana maintained his innocence, claiming there were discrepancies during his trial and said he intended appealing the judgment.
In papers he filed, Lwana claimed that policemen at the KWT police station had visited Mekuto after her arrest and found she was not injured as she claimed.
Hawks national spokesman Paul Ramaloko could not be contacted for comment yesterday. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
Hawks officer to appeal assault verdict
Magistrate Nkosinathi Mjekula sentenced him to three months’ in jail or a R3000 fine, wholly suspended for three years.
Lwana, who is involved in investigating the Mandela memorial fund scandal, said on Friday he would appeal the November 19 judgment against him. He said discrepancies in the trial would form the basis of his appeal.
Mekuto said she was happy the matter been finalised after “dragging for ages”.
According to an affidavit from Mekuto, Lwana had visited her mother, who lived in a state house, to ask about its occupancy in January 2009.
“Because that state house was previously occupied by me, I told Lwana and his female colleague that any questions should be directed to me and not my mother, who was sickly at the time,” Mekuto said.
The woman said Lwana yelled at her and accused her of obstructing him while conducting his duties.
“I told him I was there to answer his questions and assist in whatever he was investigating. However, he got angry and called police saying he was arresting me for obstructing justice.
“As I was calling my husband, he grabbed and twisted the hand which had my phone.”
The woman said she fell to the floor and accused Lwana of grabbing her by the neck and pushing her. She said she had a “bruised, painful neck”, and scratches on her legs and knees. She also claimed she had suffered from depression as a result.
Lwana maintained his innocence, claiming there were discrepancies during his trial and said he intended appealing the judgment.
In papers he filed, Lwana claimed that policemen at the KWT police station had visited Mekuto after her arrest and found she was not injured as she claimed.
Hawks national spokesman Paul Ramaloko could not be contacted for comment yesterday. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
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