Woman released on bail following apparent reckless encounter with citizen

Ferreira said the woman also opened a counter-charge against another man (not Mmatli). This followed a heated argument between Mmatli and the woman on March 22 when he dropped off his cousin, Tato Mocheku, on Valk Street in Birch Acres. A video of the encounter has been shared on social media.

“A Volvo parked next to Mmatli’s vehicle and a woman got out and asked why they were parked next to the road. The Isuzu occupant (Mmatli’s cousin) informed the woman that it was his house,” said Ferreira. Mmatli claimed it was the woman’s alleged male partner who first approached them.

“The woman started calling for back-up on a platform that has a button on the screen that channels into what seems to be multiple reactionary services. That’s when the verbal exchange with the woman started,” said Mmatli.

His cousin advised him to film what they described as “harassment” by the woman of which video footage has since been shared on social media. “My cousin said the manner in which they’re approaching us might be dangerous, and we better put something on record.

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“The woman went to her car and then produced a firearm, which she allegedly pointed at the victim who was seated in his vehicle,” Ferreira said. The video footage shows the woman reach into Mmatli’s vehicle, remove what seems to be his car keys from the ignition and then throwing it out of sight. “He opened a case of pointing a firearm at Norkem Park SAPS. It was alleged by the complainant the woman was intoxicated,” Ferreira said.

“A firearm was confiscated from the woman and booked into the exhibits register at Norkem Park SAPS.” Mmatli told Express he wanted to add charges of assault, damage to property, harassment and intimidation, and attempted murder. Ferreira said more charges are pending and the additional charges will be added as per instruction from the public prosecutor. “The complainant has video footage to support his accusations, and he stated the woman also told him she is from the Norkem Park CPF patrollers. On the day of the incident, the suspect was not an active Norkem Park CPF patroller. “CPF patrollers are vetted patrollers and a proper interview is conducted by the sector manager and the CPF chairperson,” Ferreira said.

Patrollers sign a standard operational procedure that set the rules for the patrollers that clearly states a patroller is not allowed to patrol with a firearm.

CPF

Express spoke to the Ekurhuleni District chairperson, Andrew Mosesi, who said a meeting was held with Mmatli and Norkem Park SAPS station commander Col Johannes Tau.

“The community police board and commander offered our support and assistance to Mr Mmatli. We distanced ourselves from the woman who claimed to be CPF and informed Mr Mmatli that, based on our records, she is not a CPF member,” Mosesi said.

Mosesi added that the woman’s application to register with Norkem Park CPF was unsuccessful. CPF processes and protocols were briefly explained at the meeting.

In response to questions about the woman’s means to call for back-up although, according to CPF, she was not part of the forum nor had official authority in crime prevention, Mosesi said: “Communities have access to WhatsApp groups and other social medial platforms which are individually owned. It doesn’t mean when someone is calling for back-up they are calling law enforcement agencies. The most important aspect to be highlighted is the danger at stake when someone possesses a firearm, be it legal or illegal,” said Mosesi.

“When I watched the videos the following morning, I realised what volatile situation it was and how bad things could’ve gone had I not stayed calm.”

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Ferreira said: “The mandate for the CPF is to be the eyes and ears of the police. Patrollers of Norkem Park SAPS report to the patrol commander followed by the sector manager appointed to a specific sector by the station commander.”

Court

Schereen Beukes (32) appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on March 25 on a charge of pointing a firearm and has been granted bail. According to her lawyer, Dominique Aricum: “This matter is at a very early stage and is still under investigation on all counts.

“While it is best to leave these matters in the hands of the investigators and the courts, my client strongly denies ever drawing her firearm during the incident, while also noting that she is a licensed firearm carrier. “My client opened a counter case of assault. That matter is being investigated by the SAPS.”

Ferreira said a man was arrested on a charge of assault and has appeared in court. At the time of going to print, the outcome of court proceedings was not known.

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