Internal steps taken against investigating officer
BOSMONT – Suspects of a hit-and-run have been slipping through the police's fingers.
The Sophiatown police confirmed that they have taken steps against one of their officers after information about suspects in a hit-and-run case was not followed up immediately.
This after the Scheepers family spent an entire weekend trying to get hold of the Sophiatown police to follow up a lead in a hit-and-run case which saw Liam Scheepers (13) seriously injured. Liam was hit by a car that drag racing in Bosmont on Albertina Sisulu Road in July and, according to eyewitnesses and the police, the suspects fled the scene and left Liam fighting for his life on the side of the road.
The family said they have been investigating the case on their own from day one, trying to find the people responsible for putting Liam in intensive and high care at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital for months.
On 2 September, the family received an anonymous tip-off about a car matching the description of the car that hit Liam. When they called the investigating officer, she said the police were busy as ‘they were having a braai’.
“This was the second time that a lead has been wasted by the investigating officer, she seems really uninterested in the case,” said Zelda Scheepers, Liam’s grandmother.
The first lead was wasted when the family received an anonymous tip-off on 14 July, that the two drag racing cars were apparently spotted in Riverlea. Unfortunately, the response time was not swift enough and by the time the police arrived in Riverlea, the two cars were gone.
Zelda said the family did not go to the suspects’ address as they could not get the police to assist and feared for their own safety. “We need someone who will act quickly when leads come up,” said Zelda.
Sophiatown corporate communications officer, Lieutenant Colonel Julia Claassen said, “We view the misconduct of one of our officers in a very serious light. Internal departmental steps have been instituted against the member in a process to rectify effective service delivery.”
Zelda said she received a call from the Lt Col Claassen who was very helpful and took down the details to try and follow up what happened.
On a brighter note, Liam is doing much better. “His eye is healing well and he can stand for longer periods of time,” said Zelda. She said he will be starting his physiotherapy on 16 September.
Related article:
Police ‘braai’ prevents pursuit of wanted suspect
