Police have come under fire for arresting and manhandling a 16-year-old boy without the knowledge of his guardians.
The high school student was on his way to buy lunch for his family when he was arrested by police officers manning the area.
On July 25, the 16-year-old recounted his scary ordeal in the hands of police officers for more than 40 hours. He denied having been aware of any demonstrations around Mlolongo area where he was mistaken as a protester.
While speaking to media, he narrated that he was approached by two police officers in civilian who arrested him and pointed a pistol at him and later they were joined by about five policers who harassed him physically.
“I was approached by two police officers in civilian who were riding on a motor bike, they pointed out a pistol at me and arrested me, they were later joined by five police officers who alleged that they had spotted him and were searching for him,” recounted the 16-year- old.
Photo/Courtesy
16-Year-Old Narrates Odeal
Likewise, he narrated that he got to Mlolongo police station at around 7pm where he tried to explain himself with no success and clarified that he was not locked in separate cell as stipulated by the law when a minor is arrested.
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In addition, the form two student recounted coming face to face with the harsh reality in custody.
“We were five of us, then three were released, one was released through corruption, the other two were left talking with the police officers in vernacular language,” he recounted.
Consequently, the mother recalled how she got to information that her son had been arrested.
“I did not know that he had been arrested, but a young man called me to his house where he played back footage that clearly revealed that my son had been arrested,” she narrated.
The form two student who has been home during the whole period of protests had been sent away from school for lack of school fees is set to be arraigned in court on Friday July 26 with charges of being involved in a protest.
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Uproar From the Public
This is after the police declined to withdraw the charges as it is not in the confines of their power.
By the time of publishing this article, the family was still waiting for a call from the child protection office to ascertain whether they will be attending court since he is expected to report to school soon.
However, he was released after uproar from activists and members of the public calling out the National Police service for holding a minor and a student who did not commit any crime
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