Cops accused of brutality after storming house

A BONTHEUWEL family is in shock after police stormed their residence without a search warrant and allegedly destroyed and ransacked their property while looking for illegal merchandise and activities.

Seven months pregnant Shaneley Barends said she was with her cousin’s children on Friday, after 7pm, when police barged into their property, continuously pepper sprayed their dog, and eventually opened fire and killed it.

“The police were next door for a few minutes and they could not go in there, and they came to us. Upon asking them what they were looking for, they said we should not interfere with their job and that they had a search warrant. They said they were acting on information that we were hiding stuff. The way they treated us, like we were criminals. I have lost faith in the police, they were supposed to protect us. I feel like I can’t trust them anymore,” she said.

Barends said when the property owner tried to open a case at Bishop Lavis police station, he was told they “could not be helped with opening a case against police who were doing their job”.

Police spokesperson André Traut confirmed that the operation was conducted in Bishop Lavis on Friday evening, and the incident was linked to this operation.

“Allegations of inappropriate behaviour by our members or brutality towards people or animals are not taken lightly, and any person with a legitimate complaint against the police is encouraged to approach the management of Bishop Lavis police station so an investigation can be instituted,” he said.

Traut said comments on the merits of the matter would be reserved until an investigation had been concluded.

Ward Councillor Angus McKenzie said the alleged behaviour of the police officers could collapse all the hard work the community had achieved in reducing gang-related crime and activity.

“I want to categorically state that building strong relationships with the community is what overcomes crime, not a heavy-handed approach. It is these very people who are requested to provide tip-offs and information, to stop illegal activities, who are treated in this manner.

I will be addressing this issue directly with the Department of Community Safety, and will be assisting the family to lay a formal complaint with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate,” he said.

McKenzie called on the local community policing forum (CPF) to hold the police accountable.

“If this is just left to gather dust on the pile and no action is forthcoming from the CPF, we must accept that whatever we have achieved thus far is in danger,” he said.