MIDDELBURG – A residents' group has accused SAPS officers of misconduct during a joint operation in the Middelburg CBD, alleging that police failed to act on suspected criminal activity and that an activist was assaulted while in custody.

The allegations stem from a March-To-March operation conducted on 09 June 2026, during which activists claim they discovered drugs, cash, laptops and a suspected identity document printer inside a flat in the Middelburg CBD.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Acting Residents of Greater Middelburg alleged that the occupants of the flat requested the presence of the Acting Station Commander and another senior SAPS officer before opening the door.

“Upon entry, the senior officer unilaterally declared the premises ‘clear’,” the group stated.

The group alleges that activists later discovered the items inside the flat and questioned why they had not initially been identified.

A confrontation later occurred between March-To-March member Nkazimulo Mabena and a SAPS colonel. Mabena was subsequently arrested and charged with assault.

The group further alleges that Mabena was assaulted while in police custody.

“We have credible evidence he was subjected to brutal physical assault while in custody,” the statement reads.

Mabena appeared in court on Wednesday with visible injuries to his head and eye before being released on R5,000 bail.

“We organised March-To-March to build a safer community,” the residents declared.

“Instead, we were met with obstruction, suspected collusion with criminal elements and violence against our own members. We will not be silenced by intimidation or police brutality.”

The group said formal complaints had been submitted to the Acting Provincial Commissioner, District Commissioner, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the MEC for Community Safety and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

The group is calling for investigations into the conduct of the officers involved.

“We call upon the community to remain vigilant and peaceful as we pursue justice,” the group vowed.

“Those tasked with protecting our citizens must be held to the highest standards of the law.”

Mabena's assault case will return to the Middelburg Magistrate's Court on 26 June 2026.

When approached for comment, SAPS said the matter had been handed over to IPID for investigation.