‘Cops failed me,’ says victim
We always trust and believe that when we need help our police will be the ones to help us.
We always trust and believe that when we need help our police will be the ones to help us in keeping with their pledge to serve the nation and our communities.
When residents feel that justice wasn’t served because of a police officer not executing their duties, the common perception becomes that all police are lazy.
Tiny Seoketsa had a bad experience at the Meadowlands Police Station. According to Seoketsa, they failed to help her when she needed their assistance.
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She said that on August 10, she was shopping at Roots Butchery, Meadow Point. While buying her groceries, she was approached by two men and a woman who pickpocketed her.
“My purse contained money, bank cards, my smart card ID and electricity slip,” said Seoketsa.
A still confused Seoketse reached the till and she couldn’t believe it when the manager approached her and informed her that the incident was captured on their CCTV system.
On her way to the police station, she saw people trying to confront the thieves, with no success. Ntsako Hlogwane assisted the hapless shopper to open a case.
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“What hurts me is how can a lady mug you in this Women’s Month? What has our society turned into? This is all so cruel,” the distraught Seoketse said as tears filled her eyes.
The manager at Roots was willing to help with the footage and pictures of the slippery pickpockets entering the store.
“I wouldn’t wish something like this on anyone because the experience does not fade away easily,” she added.
Seoketso had to return to the police station for a follow up three times after the incident and alleged that Hlongwane gave her the wrong numbers which begged the question if the case was being handled correctly.
She added, “Secondly, I was given the runaround even when the evidence was presented to them. Is this how police operate,” she asked.
Such acts result in communities taking the law into their own hands as residents feel that the law is failing them.
“Since the police station is closer to Ndofaya Mall and Meadow Point we expected police to respond quickly and that these two places are much safer,” she noted.
This is not the first time incidents like these happen. It seems that police don’t care,” said Seoketsa.
The Meadowlands Urban News reporter’s attempts to contact Hlogwane failed as the number reached a person in the Eastern Cape. The reporter spoke to lieutenant-colonel Matlaila who managed to get hold of Hlogwane to answer to allegations that he provided the complainant with the wrong number.
Matlaila said he that he believed this was a human error and assured Seoketse that similar incidents do not happen as he extended his apologies.
“People need to know that there are procedures in place which need to be followed,” said Matlaila.
Hlogwane added that he went to Roots to get the footage and requested that the suspects’ pictures not be displayed as that would jeopardise the investigation.
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