Farm abuse claim probed
THE police’s inspectorate is investigating allegations that certain officers refused to take the statement of a farmworker who said he had been abducted, verbally abused and intimidated by a manager.
Enrico Baadjies, who works on a grape farm in Paarl, alleges Jacques Malan, the manager of a neighbouring farm, had believed his brother was behind a break-in, and had intimidated him during an interrogation.
Following that, Baadjies claims he was abducted and verbally abused by Malan. He goes on to say he suffered secondary abuse by Paarl East police officers after they refused to open a case.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said they were investigating.
“We do not give details of an investigation unless it is finalised, and this matter has yet to finalise,” Potelwa said.
Baadjies works on Werda farm, and alleged that when Malan arrived there, he picked him up and drove away in his bakkie to a “remote area”.
“As we drove he said there had been a break-in at the farm and asked me where my brother was, but I told him he doesn’t live with us and does not sleep here,” said Baadjies.
He said Malan told him that money and a laptop had been stolen from his office, and insisted Baadjies knew something.
“As we parked, he thrice told me I must not speak ‘c***’ to him and said I was lying and talking ‘s***’ to him,” said Baadjies.
On their way back, according to Baadjies, Malan told him not discuss the incident with anyone, but said he had felt intimidated by Malan, and after discussing the incident with a colleague decided to open a case against him.
Malan has denied the allegations, saying Baadjies “willingly” drove off with him.
“We drove and I explained to him that the items taken from the office could have only been done by a person who knew the set-up, and that the crowbar used to open the door came from one of the neighbouring farms,” Malan said.
He said he was part of a Farm Watch in the area and believed that Baadjies could provide the information that would help the police’s investigation of the alleged theft at their offices.
“The information given to the police by Baadjies and his union is untrue. A warrant was issued for a person of interest, known to Baadjies who was living with him. The person is a family member,” said Malan.
He said Baadjies’ employer agreed that he may speak to the worker about the whereabouts of the family member and the conversation was friendly.
“I only drove with him because I did not want to speak about this matter in front of his colleagues.
“He could not provide me with sufficient information to help the police’s investigation,” he added.
The Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union, representing Baadjies, said it was concerned about the conduct of the Paarl East police officers who failed to promptly assist Baadjies.