Durban North resident tells of police harassment

THERE has been yet another incident of police bullying and intimidation, allegedly involving the Greenwood Park SAPS. This comes after a Durban North resident says she was harassed by two officers from the station. In March, Northglen News was contacted by a couple who were similarly harassed on Rinaldo Road.

The incident, which was posted on Facebook, has also led to a number people coming forward with similar accusations. Most of them have not reported the incidents, fearing intimidation. What’s more, two constables at the station have been fingered in the accusations. The officers’ names are known to the newspaper.

‘We’re hungry, give us something’

Teevashnee Munsamy said she was on her way home in the early hours of Sunday morning when two officers from the station attempted to pull her over. She added she was shaken by the incident.

“I was returning home with my mum from Umhlanga Hospital and I had just turned off Blackburn Road into Station Ridge Road when I noticed the flashing blue lights with two officers in the car. I was not prepared to stop. I slowed down, flicked my hazard lights and put my hand out of the window, indicating that they should follow me. I drove at a minimum speed, using my indicators each time to show my intent to turn.

“I drove back onto the main road and headed towards the Total Garage on Umhlanga Rocks Drive. One of the officers then angrily confronted me, shouting at me, asking why I didn’t stop when they signalled. I tried to explain my reasons, but they heard nothing and continued to shout. The female officer then looked at me and said, ‘We are hungry, gives us something’,” she said.

Munsamy said she explained the reasons for not stopping because of the number of horror stories involving fake police officers.

“Both officers said they had never heard of the fake police or the cautionary warnings. The female officer insisted that I prove to her where I had read that. By this time they had already run a trace on the vehicle and only asked for my driver’s licence. The vehicle was not searched. So I don’t know what I was being stopped for. The officer was absolutely rude and kept on shouting that she would arrest me.

“Both officers refused to give me their names. They were wearing jackets so I could not see their name badges. That is when I decided to take pictures. This really annoyed them and the male officer tried to hit the phone out of my hand. Eventually I could see that this was going nowhere so I got back into my car and left,” Munsamy said.

‘I want disciplinary action taken’

Munsamy said the officers eventually backed off when she said she owned a security company.
“I told them I’ve done nothing wrong and that I know my rights. It was when I mentioned the security company that they backed off. They even forgot why they were stopping me. I was extremely shaken and nervous after the incident. My mom was nervous that we were being followed. I want disciplinary action taken against the individuals,” she said.

Munsamy has laid a complaint at the station and has given a formal statement over to the Greenwood Park SAPS.

Matter is still under investigation

Greenwood Park station commander, Col Mbongeni Mngadi, said he was briefed about the allegations on Monday.

“I’m aware of the allegations and the matter is still under investigation,” he said. Mngadi could not say however if the same two officers had been involved in previous incidents.