A worker at wholesaler store has told of the trauma she and her colleagues went through when a group of police officers allegedly assaulted them before robbing the store of cash and boxes of cigarettes under the guise of conducting a raid.
A woman, who did want to be named, said a group of about 20 men – some in uniform and others in civilian clothing – walked into LM Cafe in Nigel, Ekurhuleni, and ordered all customers to leave. Custom Vape Boxes
"They said they were there to raid the shop and that they were looking for illicit cigarettes. They closed the main door and demanded keys to the storage where the cigarettes are kept. Some of them were already walking about and searching while others were manhandling one of my supervisors.
She said while some of the workers managed to escape through a pedestrian door which was left open, about eight of them were kept in the store and some were assaulted.
"They separated the men and the women. The men were kept near the fridges towards the back and we could hear how they were questioning them about the cigarettes and where they are kept. We were kept near the tills and from where I was sitting I could see them punching one of my colleagues."
"I asked why they had to hit him and one said 'sifuna asitshele ukuthi ugwayi ukuphi' (we want him to tell us where the cigarettes are). My colleague appeared weak as they were punching him and I told them that they were hurting him and one said Grandpa (pain killer brand) would help him heal after they are done with him."
Store manager, Mohammad Yeasin, who was also present during the ordeal said the lock to the shop's cabinet where they kept their money was broken and about R150,000 was taken. Yeasin said the police did not produce a warrant but were instead aggressive.
Yeasin said about 152 cigarette boxes containing about 50 cartons each were also taken.
The workers allege that the raid continued for four hours and some of the workers were forced to load the boxes into the police vehicles while two video recorders were damaged.
Just a few street away from the shop at the Nigel magistrate's court, seven police officers appeared briefly on Monday in connection with the robbery after handing themselves over to the Benoni police station on Sunday.
Siyash Rampearie and his co-accused Lloyd Bafana Nyambose, Yingisa Wesley Mhlongo, Nkoma Tervin Motupa and Mothusi Samuel Dipone are facing charges of theft, malicious damage to property, defeating the ends of justice and corruption. Four of the police officers are attached to the infrastructure unit in Ekurhuleni, while three of them are from the Germiston crime intelligence.
According to the Independant Police Investigative Directorate, the seven allegedly handed in less cigarette boxes to the authorities than what they had confiscated from the store.
The case was postponed to August 7 for formal bail application.
Would you like to comment on this article? Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Hemp Boxes Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.