ROAD RAGE COPS BEAT ME

'Road rage cops beat me'
October 26 2006 at 11:54AM
By Ryan HollandA young driver is accusing police of assaulting him during a road rage incident in Ravensmead this week.Cheslin Claassen, 20, said he was driving his bakkie near the Ravensmead shopping centre when a police vehicle came up from behind, signalling for him to move from the right lane to the left lane.Claassen said he could not move over because another car was occupying the left lane.
'Police suspected him of driving drunk'He said he was eventually able to move aside at a robot at the intersection of De La Ray and Industria Ring roads.When he stopped, he said the four constables got out their car and approached his bakkie at the driver's side door.
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One officer apparently reached in and switched off the vehicle and another pulled Claassen from the car and threw him on the ground.Claassen said he lost consciousness during the scuffle: "I can remember being thrown down, handcuffed, and sprayed (with pepper spray), but I can't remember much after that."I don't want to say anything that did not happen because I don't remember. But I now have cuts and bruises on my face that were not there before."Claassen said the police suspected him of driving drunk.He said he was taken to Karl Bremer Hospital for a blood-alcohol test when he regained consciousness. Claassen said he had been at a club until 4am on Sunday, but had not had a drink for 11 hours before the incident. He was not informed of the blood test results.Police spokesperson Inspector Bernadine Steyn confirmed the arrest for driving under the influence. She said: "It is alleged the person drove recklessly when police approached him."Claassen's father, Derick, said he had picked his son up at the police station at 8pm on Sunday. He said he had lodged a complaint at the Bellville station on Monday, and was waiting to hear from the Independent Complaints Directorate. "The allegations against the officials are seen in a serious light and are being investigated internally by a senior officer at the Bellville police station," said Steyn. Claassen is to appear at the Bellville magistrate court on March 30.
This article was originally published on page 8 of Cape Argus on October 26, 2006