12/12/2013
POLICE BRUTALITY IS REAL!!!
PLEASE SHARE AND KNOW THAT YOU HAVE RIGHTS!
TO MAYOR HELEN ZILLE
Good Morning.
This morning at 08h40 on my way to work I was pulled over by 2 gentlemen in a Chevrolet Cruz with registration no. CA280 558. I am attaching a picture that I took. This happened on the N2 passed Jan Smuts Exit.
Mr Bkani (1004327) got out the vehicle and told me that I am driving reckless and that am inconsiderate by cutting in front of another driver and then breaking. I told him that we were 2 drivers that went around a vehicle that was driving very slow and there was enough space for both vehicles to pass. I told him that why would I over take and then break? I doesn’t make driving sense. There are camera’s on the freeway that support my story. I wasn’t even allowed to talk and he said I can tell it to the court. They had a video camera inside their vehicle, when I asked him about the video camera in his windscreen and he said that I would have to wait until I get to court to view it. I couldn’t understand that the man could not show me there and then why he believed that I was wrong and he refused to because he had the power.
I felt victimized by these two police officers that had no interest in listening to me. They pull me over and they start issuing me with a fine with acknowledging my plea.
I went to my car and fetched my black berry and started recording the whole conversation. Then Bkani grabbed my hand with the phone and pulled my phone out of my hand and said: “You Don’t Record My Face, This My Property” and he deleted the video footage. Then I turned to his partner and asked his partner if that was legal and his partner just smiled and said that I am making things so difficult.
I asked him what prove would I have in court now and why can I not record this conversation. His partner just replied you may have your say at wynberg court. I went to go stand one side while he was writing me with a R1000 fine. Then I asked him, “What that if you are wrong then it now cost me to take off from work to defend myself, if I lose the appeal it cost me R1000 and it cost you nothing.” The he replied we get over time for going to court so we make more money. Then when he was done he said please sign. Then I said that I cannot sign to an act that I believe that I have not done wrong. He said no judge will give me a hearing and I replied not all people all like you sir. Then he wrote down refused to sign. He told me the date payable and if I wish to I may appeal on the 31st of March 2014 at Wynberg Magistrate Court 10.
I understand that there are extremely reckless drivers and also that it is festive season. Police are more vigilant and more disciplined and alert to offenders of the law. I have been pulled over police officers before and I have been treated with respect and dignity and I was told where I am wrong and I requested advice from the same officer that wrote me the fine. There are very kind police officers that allow you to question and then answer. The 2 gentlemen of the=is morning are not of those kind.
Some people’s mentality towards citizen is horrific, with and attitude is as if they are the law and his no remorse for others. So many get away with blatant police brutality. I felt like some one that was stripped from all my rights. I was not offered a hearing. I was mocked. My phone was grabbed from my hand and I had to stand there in frustration.
I am sure that wearing a badge does not allow you to just pull over and write fines without negotiation. If that was true then it would mean that police would have the right to pull over people nonstop and just issue fines without reason, since no one would be allowed to negotiate with them.
Does wearing a badge give an officer the right to grab your property?
Is he allowed to make physical contact without any resistant’s from me?
Why wasn’t I allowed to record the entire event, if they did everything by the book?
Does it allow him to just issues you with a fine without considering that he might be at fault?
Why wasn’t I allowed to view the recording on the video in the vehicle?
So many people stay quiet and allow being victimized and abused because they lack understanding of the Law. I do not understand the law but I do know when I am being suppressed and shut up!
When the two gentlemen got back into their vehicle they smiled and said that I should have an awesome day and there is now way that my fine will be reduced nor taken away.
The fine ill pay if the court wants me too.
Brutality by those whom are supposed to protect us… I will not stand for!
Fine no.55/27345 /806/055551
