Farmer slams police 'inaction'
2003-12-09 08:33
Pretoria - A farmer had to answer questions about his car's registration number on the 10111 police emergency line while armed men were trying to wrench open the windows and doors of his house.
Marlon Treeby, 49, of Vastfontein near Hammanskraal outside Pretoria said he had lost all faith in the police.
"I do not know why the police wanted my car's registration number while armed men were sneaking around my house."
Treeby and his family were also the victims of a farm attack in 2001.
A neighbour, Josias Kearney, was murdered in his house the same year.
"Two weeks ago, two workers were shot in an attack on a nearby farm," Treeby said.
His latest troubles with police started on Saturday morning about 01:00 when he heard a vehicle stop outside his gate.
"I was watching television and my family was asleep when the vehicle stopped at the gate. Shortly after, I spotted three men outside the house."
He said one of the men had an AK-47 assault rifle while the other two had handguns.
Treeby first phoned Hammanskraal police, but gave up when nobody picked up the phone after several minutes.
"I phoned 10111. By that time, the men had heard me and were pulling on the doors and windows."
He said the operator asked him what his car's registration number was. "I eventually put the phone down in exasperation."
Treeby then phoned Sinoville police who "somehow" managed to contact Hammanskraal police. Meanwhile, the armed men had left.
About an hour later, two members of Hammanskraal police arrived at Treeby's house.
"They looked around for a while and said they would search for the men in the area."
Treeby said he phoned Hammanskraal police on Saturday afternoon to find out whether the men had been found. "Nobody knew what I was talking about. The incident was never reported."
Meanwhile, an unknown man phoned Treeby on Sunday and Monday, laughing and then putting the phone down. "I phoned the Hammanskraal police to report the calls. The commander said he would send somebody. I am still waiting."
Captain Piletji Sebola said Treeby's complaints would be investigated.