A traditional healer arrested for the kidnapping and murder of Constable Francis Rasuge is suing the police for R1.4-million, The Star newspaper reported on Thursday.

The 55-year-old Phineas Kutumela said the police acted unlawfully when he was arrested in October 2004 and kept behind bars for five months before he was released.

He said in papers before the High Court in Pretoria that he was tortured and assaulted during that time.

Charges against him were withdrawn in March 2005.

Rasuge's ex-boyfriend has since been convicted of the murder.