Newclare resident opens a case against Sophiatown police
Man accused of owning a firearm and dealing in drugs decides to press charges against police
On Friday afternoon at around 3 pm, the Sophiatown police allegedly conducted a drug raid on a few Flats in Newclare.
According to witnesses, the police were tipped off on information about specific flat units that were operating as storage places for drugs and firearms.
Machellus Spiers who is a resident at the flats was not at home when the officers came to the flat with information claiming that he sold drugs and hid guns for the gangsters in his family home.
“They got the wrong information, they were sent to my address and then they said that I sell drugs and I keep guns for thugs there. So, they went there and broke open, smashed my place up and then went inside and ransacked the whole place,” said Spiers.
According to a neighbour, she tried to stop the police from entering the flat but was aggressively pushed aside. This was the second time that the police were sent to the flat.
Spiers, who is a taxi driver, said that he had money in his wardrobe that he stored for business and for their groceries. He alleges that the money was taken by the cops, I don’t know who took it amongst them but my main thing is the damage that they caused at my place and the information that they received that was incorrect,” said Spiers.
The officers went through everything in the flat and found no weapons or drugs. Neighbours said that there were about twelve police officers raiding Spiers’ flat. The flat now remains capsized with broken glass, a broken padlock and the Spiers family’s belongings all over the place.
“That’s the reason why I’m not at the flats because we have small children that are living there, and our rooms are just there on the balcony, so crossfire and everything happens there, you can get hurt in the house.
“For the security of my children, that’s why I moved to my mom for these few days until they can sort out the shootings,” said Spiers following the fatal shooting of his neighbour’s son two weeks ago.
On Sunday night, the family went with two police officers to the flat to see all the damages and on Monday morning Spiers went to the police station to go lay a charge. Spiers said that they were going to send him a case number.
“That’s my case with the law now. Now I’m at my mom’s place because I cannot stay in a place like that” said Spiers.
The Sophiatown police communications officer, Jerbes de Bryne commented: “There was a case open for theft and malicious damage to property. We are currently investigating the matter.”
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