EDITOR – In your 1 May edition there is an article highlighting the illegal parking of vehicles outside the take away shops in Rick Turner Road.
As a resident in the area I agree with the writer that motorists treat with contempt the red line and “No Parking” signs. This has long been a problem.
To make matters worse there are often SAPS vehicles parked in this spot whilst the occupants buy take away food.
On 28 March I was delayed in the congestion at this point and decided to take a picture of the offending vehicles. One of the vehicles happened to be an Umbilo SAPS vehicle. After taking the picture I returned to my vehicle. The police vehicle then drove in front of my vehicle preventing me from leaving. One of the occupants angrily accused me of taking pictures of him without permission. I told him that I had not taken pictures of him.
He instructed me to delete the pictures and when I refused I was told to drive to Umbilo Police Station where I would be charged. At the police station I was harassed for half an hour by the two occupants and two detectives. They kept repeating that I would be charged but could give no indication of what the charge would be.
I eventually agreed to delete the photo after the matter was reported to the station commander who undertook to look into the matter. I sent the station commander a full report but have not had any reply.
On the following day I was again passing this point on my way home and there was another SAPS vehicle with three uniformed officers buying their food.
How do we expect motorists to obey road signs when the police ignore them?
Bernie Carr
Umbilo Business Forum
UMBILO SAPS complaints investigation department response: The complaint levelled at members of SAP Umbilo has been received and will receive prompt attention by an officer appointed soon.
