‘Metro police not buying this story’ – the other side

JOHANNESBURG Metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said a man told officers that he was ‘rushing’ to the Randburg Magistrate’s Court as he had received a call at 3.20am, saying that he was to appear in court immediately.

The man has since said he was offended by Minnaar’s report. Minnaar said the 34-year-old was caught in the early hours of the morning by the Metro police speeding at 172km/h on the M1 north between the Marlboro and Woodmead Drive offramps on 12 January.

“I’m really offended that this incorrect story is out there in public,” he said. The man wished to remain anonymous in fear of victimisation from the Metro police.

“I received a call about my cousin who was passed out on the road in Cresta. When the police stopped me I explained to them why I was in such a hurry. I pleaded with them to escort me to where my cousin was and call an ambulance for him. They said they would do that but instead they took me to the police station,” he explained. He claimed that he was in police custody for 11 hours before he was released. “I’m lost for words. A security company ended up attending to my cousin,” he said.

Minnaar was contacted on 15 January for comment and he maintained that the man said he was ‘rushing’ to the Randburg Magistrate’s Court as he had received a call at 3.20am, saying that he was to appear in court immediately.