Handyman arrested for possession of a leatherman demands his tool back
He told the newspaper that he was released the same day. "I was ordered to pay R200. I did not realise that it was for admission of guilt. They also took the tool from me.
BURGERSFORT – The Tubatse SAPS have ordered a Bothashoek handyman to pay an admission of guilt fine for being in possession of a multipurpose tool, known as a Leatherman. Steelburger/Lydenburg News has a copy of the fine.
Petrus Butbut Masalane (43) spent six hours in holding cells in Praktiseer last month after he was found in possession of the tool.
“I was arrested in Bothashoek by the men in blue. They indicated to me that I had a dangerous weapon. I told them that I am a handyman and a plumber and I use the tool for my work. They did not listen to my story and I was locked up.”
Masalane said the arrest came after he completed a job at a house in the Bothashoek area. “I even pleaded with them that I can show them the house that I was working at. My pleas fell on deaf ears, as I was forced into the van.”
He told the newspaper that he was released the same day. “I was ordered to pay R200. I did not realise that it was for admission of guilt. They also took the tool from me.
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“I demanded it back, but they refused. It helped me to tackle small chores where I was hired.”
According to Masalane he had been taken from pillar to post by the SAPS as he demanded his tool back.
“For the past weeks, I regularly went to the station and was ignored. The management indicated that they will clear my name and hand back the Leatherman but even today no one has contacted me. They took my equipment, and also made me to sign documents I was not familiar with. I want my Leatherman back,” he remarked.
Steelburger/Lydenburg News contacted the Limpopo SAPS’s spokesman, Col Moatshe Ngoepe. The paper inquired if a Leatherman was regarded as a dangerous weapon. At the time of going to print, Ngoepe had not responded to queries posed to him.
Lawyer, Adelaide Masipu from Polokwane indicated to the paper that Masalane can file a case against the state. “He needs to sit down with his lawyer and discuss this matter if he wants to sue the state.”
