A popular crime-fighter from Mitchells Plain says she has been left bruised and humiliated after she was held at gunpoint, thrown into a police van and pepper sprayed while trying to get help from cops to stop a gang fight.
Angry patrollers and members of the Community Police Forum (CPF) camped out at the police station on Saturday night demanding that sub-forum chairperson, Charmaine Mahorta, 46, and her son, Marcellino, 25, be released from police custody.
They accused cops of creating fake charges against them to cover up for an “aggressive” cop.
Their efforts paid off shortly before 3pm on Sunday when the Tafelsig woman and her son were released after spending the night in the holding cells.
Charmaine, who is known for supporting victims and families at the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court, says she is in pain after being flung face first into the van “like a common criminal”.
She says on Saturday shortly after 6pm she called police for help with a gang fight between two teen groups who were throwing stones at each other.
CAMPED OUT: CPF crime-fighters demand release of two members.
After not getting any response, they went to the police base camp on AZ Berman Drive, but found the lights off.
“I knocked on the door and said it’s the Block Watch and an officer opened,” she explains.
“He was alone and was watching movies on his laptop.
“We told them what was happening because we had one of the stone throwers with us and he said he can’t keep the boy.
“My son, Keanu, 18, said as we were leaving, they (the cops) were probably sleeping again and that is when the cop hit him.”
Charmaine says her other son, Marcellino, was hit several times by the aggressive cop who also cocked his gun and pointed it at them, as he called other cops over the radio, saying the base camp was “under attack”.
She says police and the army descended on the base camp and arrested her and Marcellino.
“They dragged my top over my head and my whole upper body was naked and they threw me into the van,” the traumatised mother says.
“They also pepper sprayed us. I feel terrible and I’m in pain. I will go to the doctor.”
Her supporters brought in a lawyer who negotiated their release and they were instructed to appear in court on 26 November.
CPF chairperson, Abie Isaacs. Picture: Monique Duval
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, says cases of assault were opened against the officer, who, in turn, also opened cases of assault and crimen injuria against the members of Block Watch.
An angry CPF chairperson, Abie Isaacs, says: “It is not the first time that there are complaints about cops sleeping in the base camp.
“Our member is behind bars, but their member is at home. They are covering up for him.”