Durban - Two “rogue” Durban metro police officers and their tow truck driver colleagues are being investigated by police after they allegedly assaulted a motorist and “stole” his cellphone.
The drama unfolded three weeks ago when metro police and the tow truck drivers towed a vehicle from outside a tavern in the Point Road area.
The Mercury is in possession of a detailed SAPS report of the incident to the metro police.
Police spokesman Thulani Zwane said Durban Central police were investigating.
“A 28-year-old male was allegedly assaulted and his vehicle was impounded at the Durban beach pound. The cause of the incident is unknown at this stage,” he said.
The document states that the incident occurred at about 1.30am when the alleged victim sat in the vehicle, which was parked outside Koko’s Tavern.
The victim, who is only identified as “Mr NB Nxumalo” in the document, concedes that he was “slightly” under the influence of alcohol but says he was “waiting for a friend to come and drive his vehicle away”.
“Metro police members then came and issued him with a ticket and subsequently towed the vehicle away to the pound,” the report reads.
Later, Nxumalo alleges that he went to the pound to retrieve his possessions from the vehicle but was violently prevented from doing so. He alleges that he was assaulted by the police officers and a tow truck driver. They also took his cellphone and the fine away from him.
Metro police insiders have described the two as “a law unto themselves”.
“They carry their personal guns while on duty; that is not correct. They tow vehicles at their behest, yet procedure dictates that they can only do that when requested by cops,” the source said, refusing to be identified.
City spokeswoman Tozi Mthethwa said the allegations would be investigated by metro police andAnd if found to be true, a disciplinary process will be followed accordingly.”.
She said the city did not discuss matters “based on allegations against any member of staff with a third party”. The alleged incident is the latest in a series of shocking bullying incidents implicating the controversy-beset city police department.
“Bully” Durban metro policewoman Thulisile Zondi was last year fined R24 000, or two years in prison, after she was found guilty of assaulting a motorist in a 2013 incident. She was dismissed by the city but later reinstated after lodging an appeal.
Two of her colleagues were in 2014 accused of sexual assault and later appeared in court. The outcome of that case is unclear. A year earlier, the city dismissed two officers after footage of a sexual encounter with a prostitute surfaced. The incident was filmed by the two.
The troubled unit is undergoing a massive review after years of “a fair degree of negative media publicity resulting in the likely loss of confidence from the general public”.
Announcing the 12-month long review in March last year, city manager S’bu Sithole said the probe would address allegations of “maladministration, abuse of powers, sex scandals, conduct that demonstrates a lack of respect for human dignity in the course of policing, leadership battles and a problematic labour relations environment”.
It is yet to be completed.
Mthethwa encouraged citizens who report incidents to the metro police management, to provide details as well as the precise location, and these would be investigated.
“They can call 031 361 0000, or e-mail assistant commissioner Steve Middleton on [email protected],” she said.
Complaints can also be swnt to the city’s integrity and investigations unit at 0800202020 to report.
The Mercury