Victim unhappy with treatment at Edenvale SAPS

The manner in which the overstepping of a protection order was handled at the Edenvale SAPS has left a father and his daughter feeling frustrated and angry.

Graham* and his daughter, who stay in Edenvale, went to the police station to report the non-compliance of a court order by his daughter’s ex-boyfriend. The court order was put in place to protect his daughter, who was receiving threatening messages.

Once they had presented the issue to the police officers at the front desk in the client service centre at the station, a police captain and two plain clothed individuals proceeded to “debate the procedure and what should occur next”.

“A female constable on duty attempted to help the situation,” said Graham.

“She came into the station and tried to resolve the matter and help the officers inside. A few moments later, a male constable who was also on duty came into the station. The officer had an attitude. He put his hands in his pockets and was leaning against the counter,” said Graham.

According to Graham, the male constable said, after asking the age of his daughter, “She is old enough to look after herself.”

The officer continued and said to Graham, “It is not your complaint, you must keep quiet.”

In an interview with the NEWS, Graham said, “She is my child, I will protect her.”

Graham said he did speak to a higher authority at the station, who told him he should have been helped if he had all the documentation. Graham said he did have all the correct documentation.

The two constables were then sent to arrest the offender, who however was not at home.

The father and daughter expressed frustration and concern.

“Why was it done in the open? Shouldn’t it have been dealt with in a cubicle out of the way?”

“It was addressed loudly and in the open. We would not have gone to the station if we were not affected by the issue. We needed help,” he said.

He described the experience as “traumatic”.

“My daughter was crying at the police station.”

He said while at the station he noticed a sign lying behind a table, detailing how officers should handle abuse and rape cases, and the victims.

“The sign stated that victims are entitled to dignity and respect, which we did not get,” said Graham.

Report poor service delivery

The current acting station commander of the Edenvale Police Station, Colonel Ben Baloyi, said that Edenvale SAPS takes service delivery very seriously.

Col Baloyi said community members with any queries, or those who have complaints against the police, should see the Colonel or contact him on 082 822 7978 or 011 553-8630 so that matters can be addressed swiftly.

* Names changed to protect the identity of the victims.