Woman tells of terror in cell
2006-07-12 22:56
Lynn Williams
Port Elizabeth - A 31-year-old woman has testified in a magistrate's court how she was involved in car accident while she was heavily pregnant, yet was refused medical help and treated badly by police who made her spend the night in a police cell.
"During the accident I pulled my knees to my chest to protect my unborn child. When I got out of the car, I was unsteady because my knees hurt."
This was the evidence of Susan Hayes, 31, who is claiming damages totalling R52 000 from the minister of safety and security.
Hayes was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and held by police after the accident on June 1 2002. The case was later withdrawn as tests showed no alcohol in her blood.
Still had nightmares
Hayes said the official who arrested her after the accident insisted she was drunk because she "was unsteady and her eyes were red."
She said she was pushed into a police van after the accident and taken to the Livingstone Hospital for a blood sample.
Hayes said: "I was afraid that my unborn baby could have been hurt in the accident and asked for a sonar.
"One of the police officials refused. The blood sample was taken against my will and I was again pushed into the police van and taken to the Gelvandale police station."
She described how she sat crying in a corner in a very dirty cell because she was scared of the other people in the cell because they used "vulgar language and were misbehaving."
"I had to use the open toilet in the cell because I was pregnant. I asked for toilet paper, but my calls went unheeded.
"The cell was cold and there weren't any blankets. I still didn't know at the time if my baby was ok."
Answering a question posed by advocate Allen Frost, she said she was still experiencing nightmares about her experience.
"The arrest official was very aggressive. I did what he told me to do because I was afraid and I felt I didn't have a choice.
"I've lost all confidence in the police," Hayes said in evidence.
- Die Burger