Bribes alleged against police
Mandla Mbotom from Extension 5 was allegedly hit with a gun on his forehead by a policeman, because he stopped selling weed and did not have bribe money.
Mandla had sold dagga for a living, and he says he worked with policeman known to the Middelburg Observer, by giving him a bribe of about R150 per week in exchange for protection.
When he stopped selling due to supply problems, all hell broke loose, and he claims as a result, the policeman organised an attack on him.
“Two policeman in casual clothes came into my house on July 14, around 10.00, and said they were here to search my house.”
Mandla claims they only found a small amount of dagga, he believes they planted, to frame him.
He further says that they searched his pockets and took his wallet with an amount of R2 700, and about R90 out of his money box, where he keeps money for his children for school. Another man, who also alleges that he has been targeted for bribes, is Nicolas Mthimunye from Extension 5.
In his case they took most of his money for “protection” and when he also stopped selling, he got arrested.
The men are afraid to lay charges because of their dealings with the police.
• Captain Khayisile Zwane of SAPS said that the men must lay charges of assault and theft, and then the investigation can be taken further.
