Parking spat with cops lands businessman in jail
PARKHURST - A Parkhurst businessman, who had a heated argument with nine Metro police officers over a parking issue, was jailed for allegedly assaulting one of them.
In the article, Cops Caught in Parking Row with Businessman, week ending 5 July, it was reported that the incident was filmed and broadcast on YouTube.
Last month, the businessman, Rech Rodolfo, was accused of having exceeded the parking time limit in 4th Avenue, Parkhurst.
Rodolfo said he was still upset about the ill-treatment he got from the officers.
“I was locked up in jail for a day and night and when I appeared in court they didn’t want to allow me to get bail because they said I they couldn’t verify my physical address,” said Rodolfo.
He was also charged with resisting arrest, but was eventually granted R7000 bail. He will appear in court again on 10 July.
He refuted the fact that the bone of contention was about the parking time limit.
According to Rodolfo, the argument was started after one of the officers accused him of being a “criminal”.
Rodolfo explained, “One of the Metro police officers called me a ‘criminal’ for no reason whatsoever and I found it unacceptable. The issue was not about the parking: I paid my parking and I told the cop that I even gave the parking marshal a tip.”
Rodolfo said he was upset by the accusation – made in full view of everyone, including his son and wife – because he was a respected businessman in his community.
He added, “My son was also arrested for driving behind the police on their way to the police station. He sustained grey marks on his hand (bruises) after being roughed up by the police.”
When asked to comment, Metro police spokesperson Superintendent Edna Mamonyane said, “The complainant should be the one to come forward and report it. I can’t have you complaining on his behalf.”
