COP assaults landlady, 68

A police officer stationed at the Suame Divisional Headquarters is alleged to have physically assaulted his 68-year-old landlady, rendering her unconscious.

The police officer, whose name was given only as Sergeant Godwin, is said to have assaulted Madam Sarah Serwaah for asking his wife to stop using water belonging to three old ladies in the house for commercial business.

According to Madam Serwaah, she and two other old ladies reside in their house at Tarkwa Makro, a suburb of Kumasi, with Sergeant Godwin and his wife as tenants.

She said she mounted a poly tank to store water for use as and when water supply was interrupted.

However, anytime there was an interruption in water supply, Sergeant Godwin’s wife, who sells ice cream, ice kenkey and ice block, uses the water in the tank without refilling it.

Madam Serwaah said the actions of the police officer’s wife have been the cause of friction between the three old ladies on one hand and Sergeant Godwin and his wife on the other.

Consequently, she said she directed the police officer and the wife not to use the water in the tank any time water supply was interrupted, but her word was not heeded to.

She explained that, on March 17, 2014, she approached the police officer to ask why he was fetching water from the tank against her directive.

"Upon uttering a word, Sergeant Godwin gave me two slaps and pushed me and I landed on the floor. "He then pounced on me and beat me while I cried for help. He even hit me with PVC pipe,” she added.

Madam Serwaah said a passer-by who was heading to a nearby pharmacy shop rescued her from Sergeant Godwin’s assault.

She said she became unconscious and later regained consciousness. She said while explaining details of what happened to those who come to her rescue, the officer slapped her once more.

Madam Serwaah said she lodged a complaint with the Suame Divisional Police Headquarters and was issued with a medical form, which she took to the South Suntreso Government Hospital.

The landlady alleged that Sergeant Godwin goes about threatening to beat her again if he hears her talking about the issue.

The Crime Officer at the Suame Police Divisional Headquarters, DSP Nelson, confirmed the case and said it has been referred to the Regional Police Command for action.