Andre Snyman of Eblockwatch: "Horrific harassment by SAPS 15 July 2013: " We have ways and means of dealing with dirty cops,' he writes:"Read what happened to this guy. Today he is connecting to us."
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The businessman, an Italian citizen, writes: ""I ,xxxxxxx hereby declare under oath and in English that the following statement I am about to make is as result of the what transpired last night the 15 July 2013 at 17h45 until 20h30. I write this statement as I am afraid of the consequences of my action and fear retaliation from the South African Police Services.
Last night at approximately 17h30 to 17h45 my staff and I were driving home in a convoy of 3 vehicles as we normally do. I left the convoy on XXXX Street to fill up at the service station. Unaware that the other two vehicles had been stopped by an unmarked police vehicle with two police officers inside.
I arrived home before my staff and became concerned that the other two vehicles had not arrived before me. I phoned the one driver and he informed me of the situation, he said that two of my staff members had been arrested and put into this unmarked vehicle. He also informed me that the two officers suspected that I was Chinese and that they wanted to speak to me directly. He informed that the officers had now instructed the two vehicles to proceed to my home were they could speak to me.
I waited for the vehicles to arrive, and made a note of the registration of the white Ford ST’S registration. The number being BRW 348 B, I immediately recognised this plate of that belonging to the S.A.P.S. and exited from my vehicle to speak to the officers.
The driver of the vehicle dressed in full Police uniform and a black beret exited the vehicle and began questioning me on weather I owned the vehicles or if I had hired them. I informed him that I owned the vehicles to which he replied “well then you making too much money”
He proceeded to tell me that I was in contravention of an act of parliament and that he was going to arrest all my staff. Exactly what we have done wrong I still can’t tell you. The officer would not clarify what he was arresting us for. His only reply was that he was going to prove us wrong and that we thought that we were clever.
Both officers then began harassing my staff, threatening to “clap” them if they got clever. Two of my staff members were detained in their vehicle for not having identification, my two drivers were questioned for their licences and then told they were fake, then were threatened with arrest if they opened their mouths. The other three occupants in my vehicle (all staff members) were then questioned and told their passports and work permits were invalid.
My staff member that was sitting in their vehicle got out and offered to produce the documentation they requested and he was threatened again with his life if he got out of the vehicle. At that point my wife came out of the house and was witness to the events that happened from that point on.
I tried to speak calmly and listened intently to what they were saying and tried were possible to assist the officers in requesting documentation from my staff. The officers became very agitated and said that the two members in his vehicle were now his property and he could do with them what he liked. I requested both officers to produce their police identification as both did not wear any name badges. This request was turned down, with the explanation being that I did not have any right to request such information.
I then requested that another police officer should be present to witness what was transpiring, and offered to call either the Yeoville or Cleveland Police station. I was told that there was no other person on duty and that they were the law. My staff was according to them illegal immigrants, I had broken some act of parliament and that was that. I told them that I was Italian and who was to say that I too was not an illegal immigrant, why not request my identification, the reply was because we don’t care and don’t tell me what to do. Racist was one term that they called me, but I thought better then act on such stupid comments.
Both officers then climbed into their vehicle, my one staff member refused to go with them and produced the necessary documentation for them to view. They told him to get out or get “fucked up”. I intervened and requested they tell me where they were going with my member of staff. The reply” Pretoria central prison” At that point both officers turned on me threatening me with assault and telling all my staff that they were going to teach me a lesson.
The car sped off and followed the vehicle, trying to ensure the safety of my employee who was still in the vehicle. The vehicle headed into the direction of Eastgate and once on Marcia road made a uturn and proceeded into Yeoville. At this point I phoned 10111 and requested assistance from the operator, the operator told me she did not know what to do and said I should hold for her superior.
A couple of minutes later whilst still following the vehicle I spoke to a Sargent who said I should rather go into Yeoville and inform the Police, open a charge were his exact words. Now please spot the mistake……..go to the police to report on the police. Something is wrong with this scenario I thought to myself. I continued to follow the vehicle which was making its way through Yeoville at this point.
I phoned 702 and a lady gave me the number of the news room, I phoned them. I spoke to lady by the name of Thando who listened to me and said she would phone me back with some information.
After proceeding down Rockey Street the vehicle came to a stop at the corner of Joe Slovo drive. Immediately another vehicle stopped behind me, a VW Caravelle black in colour registration BSP 413 B, the occupants came out of the car but never approached my vehicle. I began to feel very intimidated, and phoned Thando back at the Eye Witness News desk hoping she would be able to keep me on the line while we were stationery. I also felt that I needed to tell someone were I was as I was unable to contact my wife. At this point the driver of the white Ford opened my passenger door and got into my car.
He wanted to arrest the other occupants of my vehicle which I had already told to get out of the car as I was speeding trying to keep up with the Ford. The other officer then told me that I was under arrest for aiding a criminal to escape and we were to go to Pretoria central. His colleague sitting in my passenger seat then asked me how we were going to sort this issue out. I told him I was not interested in sorting anything out but rather wanted to go to the Police station to be arrested by other officers. At this point unknown to the officer I had Thando listening in to the conversation, the officer requested money and I refused. He then realized that my phone was busy with a call as I held it in my hand in front of my mouth. The officer got even more agitated and tried to slap me with his Samsung Ipad. I said to him “give me the address of the Pretoria central Police station” and that I would meet him there. His response was, “ask the person you have on the phone to give you instruction”
He then told me it would be better I “fucked off quickly before my friends teach you a lesson”
And also said that “I Should shut the fuck up or there would be consequences”
I felt very intimidated and although was concerned about my staff member still in the back of their vehicle thought it would be better to leave the scene. I phoned Thando back and confirmed with her that she had heard the conversation with me and the officer, which she confirmed. Thando then gave me a telephone number for a lady at Corruption watch called Pippa. I contacted her and explained the situation. Pippa informed me that she did not know what to do and could not refer me to any other person. Later that evening I did receive a sms from her stating that Mr Abrahjee said it would be better to open a case at the nearest police station, which would have been Yeoville.
I immediately went back home to my wife who was beside herself with worry, and with another two staff members went back to Joe Slovo drive to look for the vehicle. My staff members pleaded with me not to go as they repeated to me what the officer had told them that “they were going to fix me”.
I continued to drive up and down Hoe Slovo drive until I received a call from the staff member in the police car informing me that he was kicked out of the car after having been threatened if he did not hand over money. He did not have any money on him and he was kicked out not far from Rockey street. I must add at this point that he is a legal person with all the necessary documentation.
I collected my staff member who was totally beside himself, we then proceeded to the Yeoville police station to open a complaint against the officers. Upon arriving at the station we noticed that the VW Kombi had arrived behind us, my staff refused to exit the car and my wife pleaded that we leave without opening the case. This morning upon leaving my home a white Mercedes Benz C class with no number plates and four occupants were waiting for me outside my home. The occupants all dressed in what seemed to be black clothes. I watched my wife leave home and then went to collect my staff as I usually do. The vehicle followed me to the boom gates were I collect my staff; it slowed down next to me and then sped off.
Three of my staff have not arrived for work today complaining that they are scared to come back, and another two arrived at work today not wearing their branded jackets which I bought for them as they fear that they will be recognised and harassed.
My staff and I were totally shocked by last night’s event and this morning at our daily meeting they requested we lock ourselves in the warehouse. Both myself and my staff fear that this is not the end of the matter and that there will be some sort of retaliation by the officers concerned
I have never in my life felt so hopeless and alone, fear has overwhelmed myself and not to mention my staff. Last night trying to find someone to help me was one of the most terrifying experiences in my life, I would like to ask either the police or Lead SA to intervene on our behalf and maybe even look at setting up some sort of call centre were we can call in and receive assistance from an impartial organisation that can at least assist us during moments of complete and utter hopelessness.
Again, I write this letter in the hope that if something should happen to my staff or myself that this matter will be taken further."
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/102575386217/permalink/10151464428056218/
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