Harassment, intimidation by metro police
05 March
2012 |"@" Chitra Bodasing
Who is
keeping our roads safe if officers of the law are keeping themselves busy with
harassment, corruption, intimidation and bribery?
This
question needs to be asked following the number of complaints received by
looklocal in the past two weeks.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson, Superintendent Edna Mamonyane, has since urged members of the public, who have complaints against metro officers, to come forward.
The JMPD has been accused of the above-mentioned practices by the Chinese community, community leaders, residents and the ward councillor.
Last week members of the Cyrildene and Bruma community were up in arms about the number of roadblocks and stop-and-search operations conducted in these suburbs on a daily basis.
Members of the Chinese community were angered stating that they were being targeted.
“Chinese people are forced to pay bribes or face being arrested, in some cases for doing nothing wrong.
“Some people are scared because they are put into vehicles and driven around on highways for hours. They are scared of being killed and also put in jail for nothing,” said Mr Maure Chen, from the Chinatown Community Forum.
He added that Chinese people are being targeted because JMPD officers are aware that many of them carry large sums of cash.
“Chinese people go to wholesalers for example and carry large sums of cash. They are terrified because they are targeted for this money.
“We also see JMPD officers in this area late at night waiting to target people. Some of them also wait for people to leave restaurants and ‘arrest them for being drunk’. Some of these people do not even drink.
“JMPD officers are stopping and searching our vehicles and telling us that we are ‘parking illegally’.
“They have been here a lot recently and are asking for bribes.
“Weekends are especially bad with JMPD presence. We do not have a problem if they issue fines for contraventions but it seems the Chinese community in Cyrildene is being targeted. If we are doing something wrong, issue fines - do not ask for bribes. They are only here for money,” said Mr Chen.
Mr Rob Crawford, the chairperson of the Sector One Crime Forum, agreed with statements made by Mr Chen about Chinese people being targeted and added that JMPD officers from Johannesburg City Central, Diepsloot, Special Patrols and the K9 Unit were conducting roadblocks in Cyrildene and Bruma.
“Why are so many units here? We fall under Alexandra. There are at least three roadblocks taking place every day in such close proximity. Roadblocks have been taking place in Cyrildene Crescent, Marcia Street before Asia City, at the corner of Marcia and Queen streets, in the dip in Queen Street, next to Athlone Girls High School in Friedland Avenue.
“I have received numerous complaints from the community. While JMPD does stop motorists who are not Chinese, it is mainly the Chinese residents who are being targeted. The Chinese residents refuse to open cases against the JMPD because they believe they will be victimised. They are too afraid of opening cases because officers will have all their details such as their address making them easier targets for corrupt officers. I understand their fear but if they do not stand up for themselves, nothing will be done,” said Mr Crawford.
He said that he can understand how the Chinese residents feel. “If you ask officers what they are doing here, you are threatened with arrest.
“We want JMPD to tackle the windscreen washer and beggar problem at the Broadway, Marcia Street and Allum Road intersection but instead, officers stand just a few metres away from this hotspot issuing fines to motorists,” he said.
Clr Alison van der Molen, ward 118, was also asked by the Chinese community and other residents to intervene.
“I have to take endless abuse from frustrated residents who are harassed by window washers daily and all JMPD does is conduct roadblocks. The Chinese community is sadly the easiest victim of this abuse as they are intimidated by JMPD. It seems this is a lucrative area for JMPD.
“I was also bullied by a female officer so I know how they feel. I once stopped and asked officers in the area what they were doing and if I could help them. They had stopped a Chinese person. I told this person not to pay a bribe and the JMPD officers wanted to arrest me.
“On Tuesday last week I was in Derrick Avenue. I saw a JMPD bakkie stop and a female officer in uniform got out of the vehicle. She walked into an adult shop leaving a person dressed in civilian clothes in the passenger seat.
“About 15 minutes later she was still in the shop. I was not aware of any transgressions in that area at the time. It seemed unusual that she would find it necessary to go into the shop unless it was for personal reasons,” said Clr Van der Molen.
She added that the man in the vehicle threw a plastic cold drink bottle out of the vehicle.
Clr Van der Molen picked it up and gave it back to him requesting that he not dispose of his refuse illegally. “I then requested officials to investigate this matter,” said Clr Van Der Molen.
She added that if JMPD was doing constructive things like addressing the speed at which motorists come down Marcia Road and the window washers, then maybe the community would feel differently.
“JMPD’s Overload unit, has a reputation for taking bribes but sadly the Chinese community members are too scared to speak up.
“JMPD has several departments yet it seems like they are not co-ordinated in this area,” she said.
While looklocal was on its way to an appointment in the area recently, JMPD officers were spotted pulling off vehicles in a quiet residential road.
Mrs Jo Stephen, a resident, described JMPD presence in the area over recent weeks as outrageous.
She said that motorists are being harassed. “They were here every day over a 10-day period conducting at least three roadblocks a day. What are they trying to achieve by conducting so many roadblocks? I do not get stopped all the time but it is extremely frustrating. They also sit close to the highway, backing up traffic. We live here and have to go through this every day. Where are they when the traffic lights are not working? Is there something that they are looking for? There is a taxi rank close by. Why do they not check these taxis for roadworthiness? While we see a need for law enforcement, there must be some sort of consideration for people living in the area and using these roads daily,” she said.
Attorney, Litsa Skylakis, said that she was recently stopped by disrespectful and insulting officers.
“I was with my 76-year-old mother. They asked me for my triangle. I was going to a doctor’s appointment at the time.
“My boot was packed and there was no way I could unpack it myself. I usually get help to take everything out of the boot because I cannot bend and pick up heavy items. I am currently going for treatment. I asked them to take the things out of the boot so that they could see the triangle and instead of doing so, they gave me a fine.
“I was really angered when they walked around the car and laughed at my mother. One of the officers also irritated me when he said ‘You people break the law’. Which people are they talking about? They were screaming and aggressive,” she said.
Ms Skylakis said that she does not break the law and there was no reason for the officers to treat her and her mother that way. She said that they are public servants and are expected to treat people professionally especially seeing that the public’s money is paying their salaries.
“Without us they would not have a job. When I asked a JMPD officer why they do not stop motorists for skipping a red traffic light he said that it is hard to prove in court.
“Then they stop us, the people who are not contravening the law, while other motorists are flying past them on the highway. They do not know what they are doing. They are not following the rules and regulations.
“I will be laying a complaint against them. I can fully understand the public’s frustration with them,” said Ms Skylakis. looklocal forwarded an enquiry to Superintendent Edna Mamonyane, spokesperson for the JMPD, on February 27.
While she was away at meetings Mr Karabo Motsepe said that he received the enquiry and forwarded it to the office of the Director of Internal Affairs for further Investigation.
Superintendent Mamonyane said that she would have to talk to the department about the issues raised.
“JMPD can conduct a roadblock anywhere but I need to confirm if the roadblocks held in these areas were planned or if officers decided to conduct them on their own.
“I urge people to come forward and report bribery, corruption and any other problem they may have with JMPD officers,” she said.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson, Superintendent Edna Mamonyane, has since urged members of the public, who have complaints against metro officers, to come forward.
The JMPD has been accused of the above-mentioned practices by the Chinese community, community leaders, residents and the ward councillor.
Last week members of the Cyrildene and Bruma community were up in arms about the number of roadblocks and stop-and-search operations conducted in these suburbs on a daily basis.
Members of the Chinese community were angered stating that they were being targeted.
“Chinese people are forced to pay bribes or face being arrested, in some cases for doing nothing wrong.
“Some people are scared because they are put into vehicles and driven around on highways for hours. They are scared of being killed and also put in jail for nothing,” said Mr Maure Chen, from the Chinatown Community Forum.
He added that Chinese people are being targeted because JMPD officers are aware that many of them carry large sums of cash.
“Chinese people go to wholesalers for example and carry large sums of cash. They are terrified because they are targeted for this money.
“We also see JMPD officers in this area late at night waiting to target people. Some of them also wait for people to leave restaurants and ‘arrest them for being drunk’. Some of these people do not even drink.
“JMPD officers are stopping and searching our vehicles and telling us that we are ‘parking illegally’.
“They have been here a lot recently and are asking for bribes.
“Weekends are especially bad with JMPD presence. We do not have a problem if they issue fines for contraventions but it seems the Chinese community in Cyrildene is being targeted. If we are doing something wrong, issue fines - do not ask for bribes. They are only here for money,” said Mr Chen.
Mr Rob Crawford, the chairperson of the Sector One Crime Forum, agreed with statements made by Mr Chen about Chinese people being targeted and added that JMPD officers from Johannesburg City Central, Diepsloot, Special Patrols and the K9 Unit were conducting roadblocks in Cyrildene and Bruma.
“Why are so many units here? We fall under Alexandra. There are at least three roadblocks taking place every day in such close proximity. Roadblocks have been taking place in Cyrildene Crescent, Marcia Street before Asia City, at the corner of Marcia and Queen streets, in the dip in Queen Street, next to Athlone Girls High School in Friedland Avenue.
“I have received numerous complaints from the community. While JMPD does stop motorists who are not Chinese, it is mainly the Chinese residents who are being targeted. The Chinese residents refuse to open cases against the JMPD because they believe they will be victimised. They are too afraid of opening cases because officers will have all their details such as their address making them easier targets for corrupt officers. I understand their fear but if they do not stand up for themselves, nothing will be done,” said Mr Crawford.
He said that he can understand how the Chinese residents feel. “If you ask officers what they are doing here, you are threatened with arrest.
“We want JMPD to tackle the windscreen washer and beggar problem at the Broadway, Marcia Street and Allum Road intersection but instead, officers stand just a few metres away from this hotspot issuing fines to motorists,” he said.
Clr Alison van der Molen, ward 118, was also asked by the Chinese community and other residents to intervene.
“I have to take endless abuse from frustrated residents who are harassed by window washers daily and all JMPD does is conduct roadblocks. The Chinese community is sadly the easiest victim of this abuse as they are intimidated by JMPD. It seems this is a lucrative area for JMPD.
“I was also bullied by a female officer so I know how they feel. I once stopped and asked officers in the area what they were doing and if I could help them. They had stopped a Chinese person. I told this person not to pay a bribe and the JMPD officers wanted to arrest me.
“On Tuesday last week I was in Derrick Avenue. I saw a JMPD bakkie stop and a female officer in uniform got out of the vehicle. She walked into an adult shop leaving a person dressed in civilian clothes in the passenger seat.
“About 15 minutes later she was still in the shop. I was not aware of any transgressions in that area at the time. It seemed unusual that she would find it necessary to go into the shop unless it was for personal reasons,” said Clr Van der Molen.
She added that the man in the vehicle threw a plastic cold drink bottle out of the vehicle.
Clr Van der Molen picked it up and gave it back to him requesting that he not dispose of his refuse illegally. “I then requested officials to investigate this matter,” said Clr Van Der Molen.
She added that if JMPD was doing constructive things like addressing the speed at which motorists come down Marcia Road and the window washers, then maybe the community would feel differently.
“JMPD’s Overload unit, has a reputation for taking bribes but sadly the Chinese community members are too scared to speak up.
“JMPD has several departments yet it seems like they are not co-ordinated in this area,” she said.
While looklocal was on its way to an appointment in the area recently, JMPD officers were spotted pulling off vehicles in a quiet residential road.
Mrs Jo Stephen, a resident, described JMPD presence in the area over recent weeks as outrageous.
She said that motorists are being harassed. “They were here every day over a 10-day period conducting at least three roadblocks a day. What are they trying to achieve by conducting so many roadblocks? I do not get stopped all the time but it is extremely frustrating. They also sit close to the highway, backing up traffic. We live here and have to go through this every day. Where are they when the traffic lights are not working? Is there something that they are looking for? There is a taxi rank close by. Why do they not check these taxis for roadworthiness? While we see a need for law enforcement, there must be some sort of consideration for people living in the area and using these roads daily,” she said.
Attorney, Litsa Skylakis, said that she was recently stopped by disrespectful and insulting officers.
“I was with my 76-year-old mother. They asked me for my triangle. I was going to a doctor’s appointment at the time.
“My boot was packed and there was no way I could unpack it myself. I usually get help to take everything out of the boot because I cannot bend and pick up heavy items. I am currently going for treatment. I asked them to take the things out of the boot so that they could see the triangle and instead of doing so, they gave me a fine.
“I was really angered when they walked around the car and laughed at my mother. One of the officers also irritated me when he said ‘You people break the law’. Which people are they talking about? They were screaming and aggressive,” she said.
Ms Skylakis said that she does not break the law and there was no reason for the officers to treat her and her mother that way. She said that they are public servants and are expected to treat people professionally especially seeing that the public’s money is paying their salaries.
“Without us they would not have a job. When I asked a JMPD officer why they do not stop motorists for skipping a red traffic light he said that it is hard to prove in court.
“Then they stop us, the people who are not contravening the law, while other motorists are flying past them on the highway. They do not know what they are doing. They are not following the rules and regulations.
“I will be laying a complaint against them. I can fully understand the public’s frustration with them,” said Ms Skylakis. looklocal forwarded an enquiry to Superintendent Edna Mamonyane, spokesperson for the JMPD, on February 27.
While she was away at meetings Mr Karabo Motsepe said that he received the enquiry and forwarded it to the office of the Director of Internal Affairs for further Investigation.
Superintendent Mamonyane said that she would have to talk to the department about the issues raised.
“JMPD can conduct a roadblock anywhere but I need to confirm if the roadblocks held in these areas were planned or if officers decided to conduct them on their own.
“I urge people to come forward and report bribery, corruption and any other problem they may have with JMPD officers,” she said.
This
civilian car CA760371 been park in front of my house for many hours, the old
man is wearing a blue shirt use only by officials that's why assume is checking
on me.
