The court found that Daniel Scheepers, 68, was detained for a period of 21 days under “extremely bad conditions”.
The artificial leg was brought back by the warder after three days.
“… his artificial leg was taken from him, which made his movement unbearable, constitutional rights were not explained to him and [he] was released without being charged.
“By its nature, deprivation of someone’s liberty is inhuman, unconstitutional and unbearable, given the fact that there was no justifiable cause to do so.”
The court said Scheepers’ arrest was unlawful and, therefore, the police minister should pay R525 000.
Scheepers was arrested, without a warrant, in December 2009 near his place of residence.
He was detained at the Roodepoort police station before being moved to John Vorster police station.