PRETORIA, South Africa - Two policemen charged with assault for setting dogs on three black men in a videotaped attack were found guilty.
The two men were convicted Tuesday, when Judge Dion Basson of the Pretoria High Court ruled that the video did not indicate that they acted under duress and had tried not to hurt the victims, as they had testified, the South African Press Association reported.
Lawyers for Nicolaas Kenneth Loubser and Dino Guiotto argued that their clients were forced by senior officers to take part in what was called a dog "training session".
The video of the attack was apparently made by one of the officers. It showed the police setting their dogs on three Mozambicans punching them and yelling racial slurs.
Loubser and Guiotto said their superiors had threatened their jobs if they did not participate and also warned they might set the dogs on them.
The judge said it appeared the men took part willingly and also condemned the men for attempting to cover up their involvement and presenting an inaccurate version of events before the court.
Four other policemen charged in the 1998 event admitted guilt and were sentenced in 2001. One is serving a five-year-term, the others were sentenced to four years in prison.
Loubser and Guiotto were found guilty on three charges of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm and attempting to defeat the ends of justice through attempting to cover up their involvement.
Sentencing has been scheduled for May 15.
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