Metro Mayhem
Police officers are not only supposed to enforce the law, they’re also supposed to uphold it. But Durban Metro Police have repeatedly come under fire for abusing their positions – and uniform!
Reena Hanuman says she had a disturbing experience with a Metro Policeman who parked his marked police car in the drive through of a popular fast food outlet in Mount Edgecombe and proceeded to go into the place to buy his food.
Chaos ensued at the drive through and when she approached him she alleges he was racially abusive toward her.
Reena sent her complaint to Metro at the end of January, but to date has received no response from them, save for being CC’d on an email from Metro Director Ashley Dove calling for an investigation.
I tried getting in touch with Metro Communications Head Eugene Msomi and Operations Director Steve Middleton to try and get some clarity. Msomi said he was going on leave and diverted the query to Steve Middleton who said he was already on leave and referred me to Ashley Dove. I am yet to hear from Dove.
Eventually, Steve sent me an email in which Ashley Dove says: “Hi All. I have finally received a report from the driver of the vehicle, wherein he acknowledged that he did double park, although he avers that it was just for a minute or two. In my opinion, it is a matter which should now be dealt with in terms of our internal disciplinary process. Regards, Ashley”
My feeling is that there is a culture of unaccountability at Metro Police which is likely what’s causing these errant officers to act with impunity.
Apart from not getting input from the complainant, who also sent in pictures (see below), this issue of the alleged racism was not addressed in Dove’s response.
Reena’s complaint might be a small one in the greater scheme of everything else that happens at Metro, but if a small complaint like hers is not handled, how can we expect that the bigger ones will be dealt with, with any kind of speed or authority?
Tweet Terence Pillay at @terencepillay1