Johannesburg – Rogue police who allegedly ‘stole’ more than R500 000 worth of cash from a KwaZulu-Natal woman suspecting her of running an illegal money lending business will now have to explain themselves as to why they never arrested the alleged perpetrator and took the money instead.
Hlengiwe Mthembu of eMondlo near Dundee, northern KZN has since approached the services of M.M Shabangu attorneys seeking their assistance in recovering the stolen cash from the men and women in blue.
She says the police conducted the bogus search and seizure without producing any search warrant.
“They (police) could have conducted the raid during the day, but they waited until it was late at night. When they invaded my house, I was not at home, but they proceeded to break the safe and took the money as well as other valuable items. The police also brutally assaulted my children. If I was running an illegal business, I expected to be arrested and charged accordingly, but none of this was done,” Mthembu told Sunday World.
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According to Mthembu, not all the cash that was confiscated at her house was handed over to the police station and she has now approached the court so that the conduct of police can be investigated and justice served.
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Among items apparently confiscated by the police included Sassa cards and pin numbers of the alleged lenders, identity documents including bottles of expensive liquor, which Mthembu alleges was never recorded as part of evidence.
Melokuhle Shabangu of the M.M Shabangu confirmed that they have been instructed by Mthembu to represent her in the criminal case.
“We made an urgent application at the Pietermaritzburg High Court and the matter will be heard next week,” Shabangu said.
He said the missing cash was in transit and was due to be paid to the clients.
KZN police spokesperson, Thembeka Mbhele said the allegations are now a subject of criminal investigation.
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