Editor – On July 27, on my way to Kempton City, a SAPS vehicle was parked under the bridge at Rhodesfield and instructed me to stop.
I did so without hesitation as I am a law-abiding citizen. The moment the officer got to my door he told me to get out, which I then did. He then asked me if I have anything illegal in the car, to which I responded “no, we are moving some clothes and furniture”. He then said there is illegal stuff in the car. Again I said no.
He then pointed to a pack of smokes and said it is illegal. Again I replied to him it was not illegal and only illegal to sell cigarettes at the time.
At this point, I was in a full-blown panic attack. He searched the car and even took my wallet without consent and opened it to look what was inside. I don’t carry cash.
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He then said we can do this the hard way or the easy way. The hard way was getting arrested and spending a night in jail.
This was not a option for me as I did nothing wrong and I have a sick wife and four-year-old at home who depend on me.
He then said we can do it the easy way. I told him there is no way I am going to jail as I have children and did nothing wrong. He then got very aggressive, telling me I lied to him and that we will be locked up.
He told me to go to the ATM and withdraw money, which I then did as I just wanted to remove myself from the situation and get home.
This entire ordeal has caused me to have PTSD at night and I am constantly reliving the experience.
I will never be able to trust any police officer for the rest of my life and I get a mild panic every time I see SAPS now.
E Bosman
Editor’s comment – Capt Jethro Mtshali, spokesperson for Kempton Park SAPS, commented as follows:
The allegations against the police is viewed in a serious light. We normally advise members of the community to give all the details of the incident like assisting us with full description of the police on duty, including the registration number of the alleged police vehicle, names of the officers on duty and description of the face.
There are various police vehicles that move around Kempton Park for different purposes. Hence, it becomes difficult for officials to account or investigate with the lack of information on the negative actions caused by the alleged officers.
Corruption has no room in Kempton Park. There are a number of dedicated police officers who are doing their duties with diligence.
It is unfair to paint everyone with the same brush.
The station commander, Brig Samuel Maredi’s, door is open to lodge formal complaints.
We sympathise with the complainant for the trauma endured during the alleged incident.
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