The Randfontein Police have noticed a new trend which is of great concern in the behaviour of a number of complainants.
Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson, says that criminal cases ranging from assault to damage to property and theft are being reported and opened at the police station.
The suspects in these cases are mostly known and identified in the statement by the complainants, who sometimes provide the suspect’s address.
The investigation then commences, the detectives obtain witness statements, and in most cases manage to trace the suspects. If the offence is serious and warrants an arrest, the suspect is arrested. This is the normal procedure when a case docket is opened.
“Unfortunately, some of our complainants are using the fact that they’ve opened a case as a threat. They approach the suspect or his family, and threaten them with arrest if they do not receive monetary compensation.
They make promises to withdraw the case if the suspect is willing to pay up. This trend is a criminal act, equivalent to extortion,” Ernst said.
Ernst went on to say the complainants then flood the investigating officer’s office daily, in order to withdraw cases they’ve reported. In some of these cases the suspects have already been arrested and spent several days in captivity.
“The Randfontein Detectives have now adopted a new policy: Cases will be withdrawn in court only. No withdrawal statements will be taken by the investigating officers. Suspects will be arrested and will have to face the consequences. We are adamant that the police will not be used as an instrument by corrupt people,” said Brigadier Mashole Jacob Manamela, Randfontein Police Station Commander.
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