Falsely arrested by alleged corrupt cop
Resident tells how she was arrested falsely by the cop who allegedly was caught shoplifting recently.
After a public outcry on the News’ Facebook page about South Africa’s police force contributing to the national crime figures, a local resident came forward and openly spoke about her mistreatment by the same local police constable who was arrested in August for shoplifting.
Maryna Herbst spoke to the News about her ordeal that started on 11 October 2012 after she allegedly was arrested for not using her vehicle’s indicator and treated like a criminal by the Krugersdorp-based constable.
Herbst claimed she was about to turn right into Human Street in Krugersdorp CBD when the constable in a police vehicle signalled her to pull over.
“The constable in the passenger seat ordered me to get out. I saw both people in the car wearing civilian clothes, although the vehicle was marked as a police vehicle.”
Herbst, who felt unsafe, drove to the nearest police station with the police car recklessly speeding behind her. The driver allegedly attempted to push her off the road a number of times.
Arriving at the police station the two officers took her vehicle keys along with her cellphone. One of them disappeared.
“Then she reappeared from the back of the station, shouting if any of the officers standing outside had handcuffs she could use because she wanted ‘to show this woman what the police does with people who don’t want to listen’.”
Herbst claimed the constable said she disobeyed her because she is not a ‘white man’ and that she would teach her a lesson by throwing her into the cells herself.
It is alleged Herbst was refused her rights to call a lawyer a number of times.
She allegedly was shoved into the cells where she was interrogated and told the reasons for her arrest actually were reckless and negligent driving, and assaulting a police officer.
“I did nothing wrong. I felt absolutely defenceless against these people. They made up a story to get me arrested and there was nothing I could do about it. All my rights as a citizen were violated and ignored to suit them.” Herbst described the constable and her partner who locked her up and violated her rights as “two egotistical police members”.
Upon Herbst’s release, she was given a warning to appear in the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court a few days later. However, the case was settled out of court without even a fine.
After her alleged false arrest almost three years ago, Herbst has been fighting a civil case against the Minister of Police for poorly managing police members. Both the members who arrested Herbst that night were found not guilty following an internal disciplinary hearing and remained in their jobs until the constable was arrested for shoplifting last month.
“When I start telling my story, people would know immediately whom I referred to. Rumours have it that these two officers are known to be wreaking havoc at the station with someone of a higher rank covering their backs.”
The constable along with her colleague are due to reappear in court on 25 September for shoplifting.
Related articles:
• Corrupt cops in bed together
• Four cops arrested for corruption
• Cops allegedly caught shoplifting at mall
