An award-winning Nelson Mandela Bay police officer, facing a string of charges including kidnapping and assault, made a brief appearance in the Gqeberha magistrate’s court on Thursday.
Warrant Officer Severiano Blundin, 34, attached to the city’s Flying Squad, faces three charges of kidnapping, one of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and another of common assault.
The charges against Blundin stem from a R1.2m civil matter against police minister Bheki Cele, where Blundin is accused of the wrongful arrest, kidnapping and assault of Alvado Daniel Francis, Sherwin Eckhardt and Keanu Arends in March 2019.
The matter was postponed to July 29 for the state to consult with the director of public prosecutions, and bail of R1,500 was extended.
Blundin, who has received top awards both provincially and nationally, handed himself over to police after the Independent Police Investigative Directorate concluded an investigation against him which started in 2019.
HeraldLIVE