Reluctant cops to court

2003-07-23 22:40

Sarie van Niekerk

Alberton - A man from Albermale has laid a charge against police officials who allegedly threw away evidence from the scene of a burglary.

Schalk Mey alleged the officials originally refused to call fingerprint experts. Later prints were taken, but after police left, May found them lying in the garden.

He said the burglary took place on Tuesday afternoon at his son's house in De Beer Street.

The three burglars were surprised in the house by members of a security company.

Mey said they guarded the burglars but had to wait more than an hour for police to arrive.

"When police got there they looked around a bit and then wanted to leave. I asked if they were going to call a fingerprint expert. One of the constables became very defensive and said fingerprint experts only worked until 16:00."

Firearm

"Because someone had seen how the supposed burglars had thrown away their firearm in the veld I also wanted the dog unit to be called. But the policeman refused and said there was a problem with the dog unit."

Mey said the burglars threw away a bag of collector's coins in the same veld. "We told the constable but he took no notice."

"After endless arguing between me and the policeman he finally called the fingerprint experts. Later I picked up the prints they'd taken and the form we'd signed in the garden."

Police spokesperson Andy Pieke confirmed charges against the officials involved had been laid with the area commissioner.

"If they are found to have been negligent, action will definitely be taken against them. Such behaviour cannot be tolerated."

- Beeld