I screamed for help, says cop dragged by moving car

AN OFF-DUTY policeman said his attack could have been drug-related after a street committee was formed to stop drug dealing.

Warrant Officer Marlen Reddy was dragged 10 metres from his neighbour’s moving car on Sunday afternoon.

Reddy, 47, of Phoenix, who is in a stable condition in hospital, described his ordeal as traumatic.

He said the incident unfolded after his 28-year-old neighbour parked his car outside his home in Longcroft and called him outside to chat.

When Reddy reached the car and attempted to shake his neighbour’s hand, the man started the vehicle and drove off.

“He gripped my hand and refused to let go. I screamed for help and begged him to stop the car but he ignored my pleas.

“After about 10 metres he let go of my hand and I fell on the road near his house.

“He saw me lying there and knew I was injured but he kept silent and drove off to his home.”

Reddy said his 16-year-old son, Julian, witnessed the incident and ran after the moving vehicle.

“After checking to see if I was okay, Julian followed the neighbour to his house and confronted him.

“But the neighbour took out a bush knife and attempted to hack him.”

Said Julian: “I tried to defend myself and in the process my palm was cut. He then used all his strength to throttle me.

“Thankfully, members from the Police Street Committee arrived and grabbed the bush knife out of his hand and detained him until the police arrived.”

The teenager sustained lacerations to his neck.

Reddy, who was in agony from his injuries, said his wife, Minnie, and residents from the area rushed to help him.

Both father and son were taken to the Netcare Umhlanga Hospital for medical treatment.

Julian, a matric pupil at Burlington Secondary School, is recovering at home.

‘Could have died’

The policeman, a member of the Provincial Task Team in KZN, said both he and his son could have died if it were not for the grace of God.

“My injuries are quite severe. However, I am grateful I have no broken bones. When I was dragged, all I wanted to do was keep up with the car and avoid being run over by the moving vehicle.

“To be honest, I don’t know what prompted this man to do this to me or my son as we rarely speak.”

He said there were no previous disagreements or altercations between them.

“His actions were uncalled for especially the attack on my son.

“We are just leaving the matter in the hands of the justice system.”

Reddy, who is the chairman of the Community Policing Forum, said he often spoke to members from the community, especially if they had problems and needed help.

“When this person called out to me, I felt obligated to see what he wanted.

“As an officer, one would have remained guarded but as a member of a forum, it was my job to see what he wanted.”

When asked if policemen were soft targets for criminals, he said this was definitely the case.

“Police officers have always been targets and are easily attacked by criminals.”

The neighbour appeared in the Phoenix Magistrate's Court yesterday (Tuesday).

Police spokesman, Colonel Jay Naicker, said a case of attempted murder was being investigated.