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The Congress of the People are abhorred at the images carried in several newspapers and websites yesterday of a Johannesburg Metro Police officer savagely beating a defenceless man. According to reports the man was suspected of being an illegal immigrant.

Every person living within the borders of this country should be afforded dignity and respect, especially by those in positions of authority. The use of disproportionate force by the officer in question is foolish, given the recent headline making tragedy of the shooting of an innocent bystander suspected of being a hijacker.

COPE calls on the Metro Police to investigate and resolve this matter speedily, and to ensure that such an attack is an aberration and not the norm.