Trucker loses damages claim after sex worker arrest

A truck driver, who claims he was unlawfully arrested after sleeping with a very youthful sex worker, has lost his damages claim against the police.

Bernard Chikurunhe was driving a truck from Kimberley to Witbank and back, when he gave two ladies “engaged in one of the oldest professions known to mankind” a lift. He negotiated a price with one and they shared a night of passion.

On his way back to Kimberley he pulled off next to the highway due to a flat tyre.

While waiting for a back-up truck, three members of the police’s Flying Squad arrived and started questioning him. They also investigated the cab of the truck, where they found the young lady.

He claimed the police demanded R100 bribe each and when he refused, arrested him and the young lady and took them to a police station, where he was told they wanted to arrest him for “statutory rape”.

The arresting officer’s version was that he thought the girl he found with Chikurunhe looked as young as his own daughter, who was about 12 years old.

Judge Norman Davis found there were sufficient grounds for the arrest.

– ilsedl@citizen.co.za

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