Paarl farmworker awaits day in court
PAARL farmworker Enrico Baadjies has said he was still upset after his treatment at the hands of a neighbouring farm manager he accuses of abducting, verbally abusing and intimidating him.
Baadjies said he was visited by a police officer last week and finally received his case number, but was still upset.
“I am angry because there has been no further contact or even any indication of what might happen next. This man had no right to treat me like a common criminal. As if he was the police and for the police to tell me to come back the next day and apologise to that man, how can that be right?” said Baadjies.
Following a break-in at the farm that he manages, Jacques Malan, visited the 30-year-old at the farm where he works, driving off with him to a “remote location” after receiving consent from Baadjies’ manager.
Malan had denied Baadjies’ allegations and said that he had “willingly” drove off with him and that they had a “platonic conversation.”
Baadjies said he now awaited his day in court and for the police to act accordingly towards their officers.
After telling of the experience at the hands of Malan and the secondary abuse by police to colleagues, Baadjies informed his union, the Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union, which reported the matter to the police inspectorate.
His farm’s shop steward, Jan Rooi, said Malan should not be allowed to get away with treating others in such a manner and that they would continue to pursue the matter.
Malan said that he was informed by the police of the case against him, but had heard nothing more. “I have heard nothing other than this complaint was laid against me and know nothing further about the matter or if there is a pending court case. If the police or any other parties wish to for myself and Baadjies to meet, I would not be against such a meeting.”
He said police had also not provided him information on investigation into the theft at their offices or confirmed if any person had been arrested.