A Metro police officer has opened a case of common assault, crimen injuria and interfering with the course of justice against a man found trading illegally.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Moses Maphakela said the officer and a colleague were on duty patrolling the Pan Africa Mall area in the afternoon of 27 September when they encountered a man selling goods in a restricted area. When approached, the man ran away to hide his goods with a fellow trader. He later returned and started swearing at the officer saying Metro police were dogs, thieves and full of nonsense and that they took money from hawkers. When the officer instructed him to stop shouting at them, the man pushed and pulled the officer’s shirt and slapped him on the chest. The officer tried to arrest him but was hit again prompting the intervention of the other officer who helped make an arrest. Afterwards the man threatened to report the officers to their superintendent and the SAPS for allegedly soliciting a bribe from him. He also threatened that they [officers] would be fired from work in two months. The man was detained at the Alexandra Police Station and is expected to appear in court soon.
Details: Warrant Officer, Moses Maphakela; 082 411 0188
