Vendor tells of police beating

 A STREET vendor yesterday told  Justice David Cannings in the National Court how police in the National Capital District assaulted him.
Aquila Kunzie, from Wapenamanda, in Enga, took the matter to court, saying the assault was tantamount to a breach of his rights.
Kunzie told the court that on Oct 29, 2002, he was selling drinks when heard that police would be conducting a raid in that area.
He said he was selling drinks near the Erima bus stop when the policemen arrived and started bashing people.
“People who were doing illegal sales started running in all directions but I was worried about my stock,” he said.
“I had to put all my things together and transferred them over to the other side of the road and behind the gates of a private premises.”
Kunzie told the court that after he removed all his stock police officers approached him.
He said he could distinguish them as members of the mobile squad because of their uniform.
“They asked me to open the gate but I refused and pretended that I do not have the key,” he said.
“One of the police officers slapped me on the face and when I reached for my bag I was hit on the back of the neck with the butt of a gun.
“I fell down and they took all my stuff and burned them all in a big bonfire.
When Kunzie went to Gordons police station and enquired about the matter, he was told that the police who assaulted him were from McGregor Barracks.
Cannings adjourned the matter to Monday for submissions.