Murder conviction for 8 South African policemen who dragged a handcuffed man behind a car

JOHANNESBURG – A judge has convicted eight South African policemen who dragged a handcuffed Mozambican man behind a police van of murder.

A spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority said on Tuesday that a judge ruled that the policemen cuffed taxi driver Mido Macia to the van and intentionally dragged him with the vehicle to a nearby police station in 2013. He was later found dead in a police cell. Police had arrested Macia for an alleged traffic infringement.

The incident was captured on a mobile phone video, sparking protests against police brutality.

The African News Agency reported that the court acquitted a ninth police officer during the trial.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Luvuyo Mfako said the men will be sentenced on Sept. 22.