Homeless Afrikaner man claims victimisation by metro police: his blankets, food and other belongings confiscated by the metro police on the street in Kempton Park
‘It’s not the first time they took my stuff, they even once made me spend a night in jail but the case was thrown out’
A homeless man has accused the metro police of victimising him on an ongoing basis regardless of whether he does what they say or not.However, the metro police rudely described the man as a “stubborn customer”.
“I’m just trying to make an honest living to save money to get a place to stay,” said the 53-year-old homeless man after metro officers had confiscated his belongings on the streets.
Ryno* was in tears as he detailed the incident adding that he did not have money and did not know how he would sleep with no blankets, no clothes and no money to buy food.
“It’s not the first time they took my stuff. They even once made me spend a night in jail but the case was thrown out,” he added.
Ryno said on the day in question, he did as instructed but the officers only took his belongings from the nine tents that were erected, before verbally abusing him.
“I went to their offices on Long Street to try and recover my belongings but was given a R500 fine instead. I never ask for money, I never bother anyone, I’m not taking drugs, I’m not stealing. I just need a place to lay my head,” he added.
Ryno has been employed to guard cars at a local McDonald’s and has been there for over a year.
His children do not know that he lives on the streets and he does not want to burden them.
“I call my daughter and tell her everything is fine. I can’t live off someone, I will feel guilty because I’m a man. I’m looking for a job and my CV is on the internet.”
Ryno said Lily Franks, branch manager of MES Kempton Park, could vouch for him.
Franks said she had been helping Ryno by sending out his CV but also added that he had a bit of a drinking problem.
EMPD spokesman, Chief Supt Wilfred Kgasago, said Ryno was a stubborn customer.
“There were several tents erected illegally at the said location, and all the vagrants were approached in a civil fashion and instructed to remove the structures.
“This particular 53-year-old man failed to comply as all others removed theirs, hence his was the only one confiscated and over and above slapped with a fine. He had the audacity to even barge into the precinct commander’s office to display his undesirable attitude,” he added.
Kgasago further added that, as law enforcers, the EMPD would, whenever structures were put up illegally, remove them as no person was above the law, including vagrants.
“We are continually faced with this type of challenge which is increasing drastically in Kempton Park and thus an appropriate action, which is well within the ambits of the law, is to be taken whenever officers come across such offences. Municipal assets are often vandalised and intersections and roadways are dangerously obstructed by these vagrants.”
http://kemptonexpress.co.za/70194/homeless-man-claims-victimisation-by-metro-police/
http://kemptonexpress.co.za/29717/homeless-but-friends-forever/
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