'I felt powerless'

2003-12-22 22:08

Borrie la Grange

Pretoria - Two couples from Pretoria have lost all faith in the police after an inspector allegedly pointed a firearm at them, swore at them and then apparently attacked one of the four on the N1 highway.

According to a 29-year-old motorist, he and his wife and two friends were on their way to Centurion on Friday night and had stopped at the Zambesi Road toll gate when the police inspector, Barnard Mathys van Staden from the finger print unit, pulled up behind them.

He was in an unmarked car and allegedly caused a scene when he started shouting at tollgate personnel. He threatened to arrest them if they failed to let him through, said the motorist, who has - out of fear - asked to remain anonymous.

According to him, the police officer was very drunk at the time of the incident. He said he drove off after Van Staden threatened to shoot them.

Van Staden apparently followed them on the N1. They were then pulled over by two flying squad vehicles. Van Staden then allegedly pointed his firearm at the motorist's wife.

He also apparently assaulted one of the motorist's friends who was in the vehicle and pushed the gun into the man's mouth.

"I felt powerless. Later I threw my arms up into the air to show police they shouldn't shoot," said the motorist.

He said one of the flying squad officers apologised for having pulled them off the road when it became clear they were innocent. He said that Van Staden's firearm was confiscated and he was taken to Brooklyn police station.

Police spokesperson captain Piletji Sebola confirmed that charges of attempted murder, pointing a firearm, assault, drunken driving and crimen injuria had been brought against Van Staden.

He was released on R2 000 bail on Monday.

The motorist said he had informed the Independent Complaints Directorate of the incident and he was also considering a civil suit.

- Beeld