CAPE TOWN- The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is investigating an alleged case of assault against an officer, after DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille was removed from a Bethelsdorp voting station on Monday afternoon.
It was also alleged that a person who was with her, had their phone taken away.
“It is reported Mrs Zille was at Fernwood Primary school seen talking to other people around the voting station and one of the people decided to report her to the presiding officer alleging that she is campaigning at the centre," Ipid spokesperson Grace Langa said.
"The presiding officer allegedly requested that she should stop and she should be removed from the area. That's when the officers allegedly approached her, pushed her out as well as taking her phone. It is alleged that the same phone taken by police which this man was using to take videos, belongs to Mrs Zille. Cases of assault and theft were opened,” Langa said.
Investigators have not been able to reach Zille but had left a message for her, Langa added.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, Zille can be seen being held under her arms and marched out of the voting station.
WATCH: Helen Zille was just physically dragged out of a voting station near Port Elizabeth by Police. pic.twitter.com/ba5a6ZzxTR
— Willem Petzer (@willempet) November 1, 2021
She can be heard saying, “Just take a picture of him,” while another woman is heard saying, “Why are you mishandling her like that, don’t do that to her.”
Police referred requests for comment back to Ipid.
Zille was yet to respond to requests for comment.
Cape Times