A Malawian gardener has spoken out over how Edenvale police officers stopped him and forced him to pay them for his release.
Mrs Michelle Black* who employs Jacob* said it was not the first time police officers have extorted money from someone she employs.
Mrs Black and Jacob asked the NEWS to withhold their identities for fear of victimisation but agreed to consider laying charges against the two officers involved.
Roughly two weeks ago, Jacob was walking to his house in the Avenues from Bedfordview, when a male and female police officer stopped their vehicle next to him.
“The officers shouted, ‘come here boy, what are you doing, where are you going boy?’,” said Jacob.
He was then asked for his passport and he handed it over.
“The officers grabbed me by my belt and held me down. They asked me for R5 000 and said if I do not give it to them, they would call the office,” he said.
When Jacob told the officers he did not have R5 000, they replied he would have to go with them.
The officers then asked Jacob how much money he had with him.
“They said they wanted R500 and I told them I did not have the money. The officers said if I did not give them money for drink, they would take me to the office,” he said.
Jacob eventually gave in and handed the only money he had to the officers.
“I gave them R300,” he said.
When asked if he would open a case against the officers, Jacob said he was scared he would be “marked” by Edenvale police officers.
“I am not a thief but I am scared of the police,” he said.
He later agreed to consider laying a charge against the two officers involved and said he does not want this to happen to anyone else.
“Jacob and others like him who work in Edenvale do not have much. Most of what they earn is sent home to care for their families,” said Mrs Black.
She believes police officers targeting foreigners is how xenophobia starts.
“Jacob is a good man and a hard worker. He has all his papers including a valid work permit,” she said.
The acting spokesperson for the Edenvale SAPS, Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Roberts, encouraged the man to open a case against the officers involved.
“We encourage everyone who has experienced this in Edenvale to open a case against the officers involved. We understand that victims may be afraid but we need to eradicate this behaviour from our community,” he said.
“Let us not prolong the investigation process. These matters should be reported as soon as possible,” said Lt Col Roberts.
He added that cases registered against police officers are not dealt with at a station level.
“All such cases are investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID),” said Lt Col Roberts.
*Names changed to protect the identity of those involved.
