Woman accuses cops of verbal abuse

A Pretoria businesswoman claims that while on a business trip to KZN last month, she was verbally abused by two KwaDukuza traffic officers at a Ballito shopping centre.

Anele Busakwe said she was driving out of Nando’s at the Lifetyle Centre around 6pm on October 21, talking to her nine-year-old son, Njongo, on the phone, when the car in front of her put on a siren.

“One of the officers approached my car and asked me why I was being disrespectful by being on my mobile while they were driving in front of me and asked for my driver’s licence,” said Busakwe.

“I offered to move my car, as my licence was in my handbag in the boot and I realised this would take a long time and traffic had started building up behind our cars, I saw a gap and crossed the road into the Toyota parking lot, stopped and got my bag out of the boot, waving over to the police officers.”

While waiting for the officers, Busakwe quickly wrote an sms to her husband, Danile, to say if anything happens to her, he must know where she is and what is going on.

“The two officer aggressively charged at me, shouting insults, while one drew his firearm and pointed it at me, threatening to shoot me and assault me physically. He asked me if I was taking photos of them, to which I replied no.”

She said she pleaded with him to stop threatening her and to rather issue the traffic fine instead, if she was committing an offense.

“Despite pleading, he persisted with insults and threats and carried on poking his finger in my face, telling me he would slap me across my face and lock me up. I just kept thinking, please God, help me,” said the small lady.

Busakwe said the other officer sat in the vehicle, started to write out the fine and asked her for her address.

“I said my address is in De Aar. He did not know where that was, which aggravated him further. He shouted and swore at me.”

She said the officers started arguing about how much the fine should be, eventually settling on R1500 and left.

“It was a scary situation and I felt extremely traumatised and emotionally violated, although I was not physically hurt.”

Busakwe reported the matter to the traffic department, as she said the police advised her that traffic matters need to go via the department.

“I do not want these officers to lose their jobs, as they have to feed their families, but I want them to behave respectfully. I cannot let things slide that are not right.”

Busakwe received a short reply from the Community Safety Department, stating that “both officers have denied the allegations”.

“I am deeply shocked at the blasé attitude blatantly reflected in the dismissive tone of the department’s letter. I will have to escalate this matter to authorities who will treat it with the seriousness it deserves,” said Busakwe.