We know the police have a hard job to do at the moment. They are trained to fight crime, not to be public health guardians and patrol our streets after lights-out like a hall monitor. We know they are trying their best to act in the public interest, but it seems a little discretion and common humanity wouldn’t go amiss.
Reprinted from News24, by Ntwaagae Seleka – 2021-01-13
A man arrested for breaking the lockdown curfew while buying milk formula for his newborn baby, is threatening to take steps against the police.
The man was arrested on Friday at around 02:30, in Centurion near his home.
The man’s lawyer, Lily Rautenbach, said her client had rushed to Netcare Unitas Hospital in Centurion to buy milk formula for his two-day-old daughter.
“About 500 metres away from his home, he was stopped by the police who didn’t show any humanity. He explained to them that he had to rush to the nearby hospital to buy baby formula,” said Rautenbach.
“He even tried to show them proof of the formula and police officers arrested him despite evidence why he went out during the curfew. They didn’t even allow him to take the baby formula to his wife who was at home with two other minor children.”
‘Suffered severe humiliation’
“Police forced the man’s wife to walk with their minor children and carry the newborn baby from their home, to fetch the baby formula from her husband who was being arrested.”
The man was currently at home after being released by the police.
“We will be appearing in court very soon. We need to give my client a break. My client has suffered severe humiliation. We will take necessary steps (against the police) in due course. We have a community behind our client. He is receiving sympathy from his community. He is stressed and still in shock, overcome by emotions and saddened by the incident,” said Rautenbach.
Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters told TimesLive the police viewed the allegations regarding the incident in a “very serious” light.
Peters reportedly said provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela had ordered an urgent internal investigation into the matter.
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Simon Dippenaar
http://www.sdlaw.co.zaCape Town attorney Simon Dippenaar has a BBusSc LLB degree and Professional Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Cape Town, and is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa. He is the founder and director of private legal practice, Simon Dippenaar & Associates, with offices in Cape Town and Gauteng representing South African and international clients.
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