According to owner and manager of the resort, Christa Joubert, a Toti policeman bought a sectional title unit in the resort in 2013. When he demanded the keys to a seaside-facing gate and was told he could not have them, matters came to a head.
“The gate is locked for security reasons, as we have been burgled nine times over a six-month period.” According to Christa, on Thursday, 16 January the policeman entered the premises and cut the lock and chain on the gate. “We replaced the lock on 17 January. He returned at about 9.30pm with a large group. I heard wheels spinning and noise at the main gates in Elizabeth Avenue and I alerted our security company to respond. I was walking towards the main gate when the policeman in his private vehicle raced towards me and Esta van Deventer. I thought I was going to be run over.”
More people poured through the gates, among them were three policemen whose name badges and insignia had been removed from their uniforms. “When he stopped near me, he shouted at me in crude language that he had come to show the place to his friends and cut the locks on the gate.”
When the group moved to the gate to cut the lock, and when a resident’s son attempted to take photographs, he was threatened that he would be shot.
During the fracas, Christa was pushed in the face, her friend was shoved and suffered a cut to the lip. “The group was very abusive and made racist remarks. There are 14 permanent residents here, most of them elderly, who are traumatised and afraid. They threatened to return with 20 taxis and trash the place.”
The group left at about 11.30pm.”When I went to report the incident at Toti police station, they refused to open a case. I reported the matter at Durban Central police station and they were only prepared to take a statement from one person,” said Christa.
The KZN police media centre issued the following statement regarding the incident: “With regards to the storming of a premises by police officers, it was established that a police officer (not sure from which police station) who lives in the complex invited his colleagues over to visit him. During this visit he became embroiled in an argument with other residents of the complex. According to police at Amanzimtoti, a docket was not opened, however the matter will be investigated once a docket is opened,” said police spokesman, Capt Thulani Zwane.
“We value the fact that the public are willingly coming forward to complain to management when they witness misconduct by police officers. Our standpoint has always been firm and we will not tolerate misconduct or criminality from members of the police service. There is no place for such officers within the service and they will be dealt with in terms of police regulations as well as prescripts of the law. In all organisations you will find errant individuals that do not toe the line, however they must be dealt with harshly for their actions. It is therefore unfair to attribute the behaviour of a few individuals to the entire police station.
We have many committed individuals from all walks of life that engage us on a daily basis with their concerns via various policing forums because they are genuinely concerned about policing, and we will continue to work closely with those that are dedicated to making a meaningful difference. We encourage the community to take ownership of their police station and their police officers. Should they need the assistance of the cluster commander or provincial commissioner, our doors are open and we are willing to intervene in areas of concern.”
