Fracas with police caught on camera

A Durban businessman has charged several Metro Police officers with assault after he was arrested as the officers tried to tow his vehicle from in front of his home in Powell Road, near Umgeni Road, this week.

Meshack Chetty and his wife, Sabena, claim they were assaulted after being confronted by more than a dozen officers on Wednesday, after an officer tried to tow his vehicle after issuing a fine for it being illegally parked on the pavement that afternoon.

They have since opened a case with the Durban North police.

The incident, which was filmed by someone from a neighbouring business, would be investigated by Metro Police, acting head Steve Middleton said yesterday.

Sabena said she had just come home from work and parked the vehicle. After the fine was given to her for being illegally parked, police said they were going to tow the vehicle. She then got into the car through the passenger door and tried to move it into the driveway.

She claims that as she tried, the officers tried to knock into her with their police vans.

When one tried to get her out of the car, she said he grabbed her breast.

All this reportedly happened before the video was filmed.

When the video starts, it shows the couple arguing with several police officers.

Their eight-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter are also seen in the video. At one point, 13 officers can be seen on camera. Several vehicles are also seen on the road, many of them with their lights flashing.

At one point, Meshack is seen talking on his cellphone and then walking over to a shipping container next to his driveway.

He is then surrounded by several police officers. It is unclear what was said between him and the officers.

He is then grabbed by one of the officers and surrounded.

Later, he is heard screaming and falls to the ground. This is when he claims he was assaulted.

“I saw a policeman hitting my husband. I got an umbrella out of the boot to distract them. I never hit anyone with it,” Sabena said.

The video shows her lifting the umbrella above her head, before a female officer tries to grab it and a scuffle ensues. In that scuffle, the officer’s hair is pulled and a male officer grabs Sabena around the neck. Shortly afterwards, a different female officer walks up and appears to throw a punch, which doesn’t make contact.

Shortly afterwards, Meshack is arrested and taken to the police van, while his family goes into the house. His daughter is heard screaming: “You can’t take my parents!”

The video shows Meshack in the back of the police van calling for his diabetes medicine, but he said it was never given to him.

Police then, over the next five to 10 minutes, leave the road. The car was never towed away.

Meshack said he was taken to Durban Central police station and charged with assault, interfering with police duties and crimen injuria. He was released on station bail about 10pm that night. He laid the charges against the Metro Police the next morning.

They also claim that during the incident, cash was stolen from the cubbyhole of the parked car.

“Why did they have to bring so many police? More than a dozen, for one guy. And then they assault me and my wife. It’s unacceptable, and I have charged them. We will take action. If they just gave the fine, that’s okay. I’ve got no problem. But the way they treated us was wrong. They came like they were going to war,” he said.

SAPS spokesman Lieutenant- Colonel Vincent Mdunge confirmed a case had been opened at the Durban North police station.

“We can confirm that Durban North police station is investigating a case of assault and theft.

“It is alleged that… Metro Police officers were issuing traffic violation fines to vehicles parked on the pavement in Powell Road, Morningside, when a resident confronted them.

“A resident tried to drive away in one vehicle and was prevented by the Metro Police officer, who was still issuing the fine.

“It is alleged by the resident that the traffic officers assaulted him and stole money from his vehicle.

“No arrest has been made… police are investigating,” Mdunge said.

Middleton said he would look at the footage this week and decide on what action needed to be taken. - Tribune

matthew.savides@inl.co.za