Video
GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - A businessman from George, Leandro Muller, has lashed out at the Ghost Squad on social media after what he claims to be unnecessary action taken against him, which led to his unlawful arrest.
Muller posted a video on Facebook on Saturday 11 March wherein he gave his version of events that transpired two days earlier while he was driving his child home from school and was pulled over by the Ghost Squad.
The video has attracted 541 comments and has been shared more than 1 200 times.
According to Muller, the owner of the Tint and Vehicle Accessory Shop in town, he was driving down York Street towards Pacaltsdorp with his child in his car when he was pulled over by two Ghost Squad traffic officers.
"They pulled me over as there were things on my car they weren't happy with. I asked them if we could discuss the issues at my shop in town and they agreed and we drove to my shop," said Muller.
According to Muller it was here where the interrogation and abuse started.
"More Ghost Squad cars arrived at my premises. Initially they pulled me over because my car is too low from the ground, so I showed them documentation to prove that my car had been inspected and everything is above board," Muller said.
But, according to Muller, it didn't end there as they were looking for a reason to remove his licence disc from his windscreen.
"Then it was my number plate. The letters were apparently too thick. Then they found a problem with the tinting on my vehicle. They weren't letting go before they could nail me on something," Muller said.
"I told them to give me a fine so I can go to court and sort it out. But they wanted my disc without legit reasons.
After a while of back and forth and debating about what was, and what wasn't wrong with my car, one of them identified himself and I was arrested."
VIDEO: Leandro's video on facebook:
Resisting arrest and child's safety
Muller admits to resisting arrest. "I resisted arrest because there weren't any charges against me and I have the correct documentation for the modifications on my car. I even asked them what the charges were and they couldn't answer me.
"What irks me however is that my nine-year-old son was witness to all of this. He was crying, confused and traumatised. When I asked them to give me time to get someone to fetch him and make sure he is safe, they said that it's none of their business. It's not their child and not their problem. What if we were still standing next to the N2? They then shoved me into a GTI and left without telling anyone where they were taking me," said Muller.
Charges
"At the police station I was intimidated by about 18 traffic officers making derogatory comments," he said. Muller says he was initially charged with resisting arrest and obstructing an officer in the performance of his/her duties. The charge of assault only came later.
He says when the police officer on duty told the traffic officers they couldn't keep him detained for the night on the initial two charges, they added a charge of assault.
"They were adamant to have me sleep in the cells. After they were told I can't be detained on the two initial charges, they added a charge of assault - which was enough to keep me until the next morning."
The next morning however, the case was removed from the court roll and Muller was a free man.
Repercussions
"They come here and turn our town upside down and we are left with inconvenience and the damages. My licence is gone and no one knows where it is. I'm not saying all of them, but many abuse their power and the community of George needs to take note of these actions and arrogant attitudes of some of the Ghost Squad members," Muller said.
"I'm not leaving it there."
The number plate on Muller's car was also under scrutiny.
Investigation
A spokesperson for the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works, Jandré Bakker, confirmed the incident and said there are video recordings of parts of it. However, recordings of the incident only start at a certain point and are therefore not a complete reflection of the full interaction.
"We are investigating the case and have already received the reports from officers. At this stage, indications are that the officers involved noticed the vehicle with dark tinted windows, licence plates that do not meet the relevant standards, and modified suspension. They indicated that the driver should pull over which he did not do immediately. The driver allegedly first complied with the request to pull over at his business and did not co-operate. This was followed by the resistance of arrest," Bakker said.
It is also reported that one of the officers was injured during the arrest.
"The Western Cape Provincial Traffic Service will continue to carry out their duties without fear or favour. If a road user complies with the relevant laws and rules and co-operates with officers, incidents such as the one under discussion will be avoided," said Bakker.
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