Motorist claims he was robbed by EMPD

EDITOR – As a member of the Edenvale community, I am now despondent of the policing in our community and feel at this point one should be afraid of them even if you have not committed a crime.

On May 7, I was on my way home from my girlfriend’s house after dinner.

I pulled up to a stop street on Fourteenth Avenue and there was a vehicle behind me.

At first it looked as if it was a motorbike.

When I came to a stop, I realised it was the flashing lights of an EMPD patrol vehicle.

As a good citizen, I waited in my car to find out what it may have been about.

I was approached by two police officers and they demanded that I get out my car. I engaged the handbrake and opened the door to step out.

Instantly, I was accused of drinking and I responded by telling the officers I had not and was on my way home.

At that point I was seven houses away from my own.

I received an arrogant response and without my permission, I was body-searched. What for, I was not sure, as I was being accused of driving drunk when I do not touch alcohol.

After being searched and my pockets emptied, I again asked if I had committed an offence in any way.

Again, I was accused of driving drunk.

The officers went on to search my car.

I informed the officers that I was a respected businessman in Edenvale and they were infringing on my rights by treating me like a common criminal.

It was then demanded that I produce my driver’s licence which unfortunately, was not with me.

I told the officers it would be no problem for them to follow me home a few houses away and I would produce it.

I was then told that I would be arrested and taken to the police station as I clearly understood that they had doctors on duty and would take blood and I would be charged.

I responded and was quite happy to oblige, but that it would be a waste of time as I was not guilty of any offence – apart from not having my driver’s licence in my possession.

While this was going, on I tried to get a look at the registration of the EMPD vehicle, but I was blocked from getting anywhere near the patrol car.

I can say that the vehicle only had one working headlamp on the right hand side.

I was questioned about where I live and where I worked, and obligingly offered the information as I had nothing to hide.

Again I was threatened with arrest and I assured the officers that it was going to be a complete waste of time.

The response I received was shocking. It was put to me bluntly that they had all night to waste my time and the best thing I could do right now was to give them money and they would go away.

I weighed up my options.

I was dealing with arrogant police officers who clearly knew I had money on me as they had emptied my pockets.

I was being robbed by the police.

I gave the officers R200 for the one officer to remove himself from the doorway of my car.

I recall saying to them I have just been robbed by the police.

I was fuming, but what could I do about it? I was alone with no witnesses and reporting it to the police was not going to get me anywhere.

I felt I was dealing with criminals who knew my address and my place of work, and it would be my word against theirs.

What were the repercussions going to be?

I have reported the incident to Mrs Linda Mackenzie and we are to have a meeting.

I am 100 percent sure I am not the only citizen who has been bullied and robbed by the very people us as taxpayers relay on to protect our community.

ANDRE

EDENVALE

EDITOR’S COMMENT – Spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago, commented as follows:

We have repeatedly, in the past, requested motorists to help us in bringing to book officers who are allegedly discourteous and unprofessional in the treatment of road users.

Granted, the complainant must have been enraged by the treatment he claims to have been meted by officers, I find it quite perplexing that he could not manage to memorise or jot down the registration of the patrol vehicle or any other information that could facilitate the said officers to be identified, more especially after being with the officers for a long time.

Nevertheless, we shall from our side endeavour to investigate with a view to finding out as to who the alleged culprits are.

We would wish to reiterate that paying a bribe, regardless of the circumstances, is tantamount to committing a crime.

Why did the complainant not agree to be arrested as he claims he had done nothing wrong so as to have a good case in court?

Does he remember that not having a driving license in the vehicle when driving on a public road is an offence?

The EMPD does not condone in anyway the ill-treatment of motorists by officers.

Rest assured that the complaint will be forwarded to the EMPD Integrity and Standards Unit for investigation.

Chairperson for the Edenvale Community Police Forum (ECPF), Mrs Linda McKenzie commented as follows:

The community member did call me with regards to the incident, however at that time, it was understood that it was SAPS officers.

I reported this complaint to Lt Col Roberts at the Edenvale SAPS and we were going to meet with the resident.

As I only had a home telephone number, I have not been successful in contacting him.

I would like to request from the resident to please contact me so that a case can be opened and the proper investigation can be done.

I feel strongly that this type of behaviour needs to be stamped out.

Mrs McKenzie can be contacted on 083 973 7093.