With economic challenges placing the country under constant strain, coupled with gross levels of corruption ensuring any further progression—the general state of our Government and the various departments therein (apart from SARS of course) resembles a wobbly, three-legged table.
One division of Government which enjoys praise at times but more often than not, tends to make the headlines for the wrong reasons is the SAPS (South African Police Services). Following reports from a frustrated Clayton Delport, who contacted the Newcastillian – Online News due to the fact that he and his family have experienced the dark side of South Africa, being crime, yet is receiving no guidance, information nor assistance from local police. Therefore, we got stuck in to better assist Clayton and his family. But at the same time offer insight to our readers on the process, if you receive poor service from the SAPS.
But before we delve into the remedy, let us first look at a Newcastle resident and his family who have been plagued by burglaries, yet have received nothing but poor service from the SAPS, according to Clayton Delport.
Delport’s story begins on 7 November 2020, when he and his family went to a friend’s house for a braai. Coming home just after 10pm, Delport says it is then that things took a sinister turn, “My wife put the children to bed, and slept in the room with them. I climbed into our bed and fell asleep. Between 12 am and 3 am, my wife went to the bathroom, before returning to bed.”
Shortly afterwards, at approximately 3 am, he awoke to a suspicious sound and proceeded to go and investigate. This was when Delport found his young son in the kitchen. He says while he made sure his son was okay, he noticed the kitchen window was open but thought little of it. However, he says, “After I took my son back to his bed, I went back to the kitchen and that is when I saw all the electronics were missing.”
Which included cellphones, laptops and equipment, Clayton uses for work purposes, as well as IT equipment he inherited from his late father. All in all, Delport claims the equipment was worth over R60 000.
Immediately calling for help, and contacting the SAPS, Delport states what he finds most disturbing is the thought of the perpetrators most likely watching his wife tuck their children into bed and then her dozing off with them before they broke into their home. Adding, “They were most likely watching me as I slept when they looked into my room, after gaining entry to our home, before stealing everything.”
The situation grows scarier as Delport explains, “When my wife went to the bathroom if she had looked around and seen anything, this could have taken a turn for the worse. In fact, my son could have accidentally walked in on the guys when he went to the kitchen.”
Following the burglary, Delport says he has found the response from the Newcastle SAPS to be lacking, to say the least. Whereby he affirms that the police have to date not processed the fingerprints found at his home. Nor have they followed up with neighbours who have CCTV equipment installed around their property. Neither has he received any feedback or communication from the investigating officer.
In fact, he claims he has received such little joy, that he was left with no option but to report the matter to his investigating officer’s superiors. This kicked up the issue a notch but was short-lived.
Delport elaborates, “It was only when I made it an issue, that the commander sent out a vehicle to collect me, so I could go with the police to visit the pawnshops.”
He says prior to him making it an issue, the police had allegedly never gone to the secondhand stores to even see if any of his items had been sold to them. He emphasises, what grates him the most, is the fact the burglary was potentially committed by a contractor or someone linked to a person living within the property.
Residing in a complex in Hutten Heights, Delport describes it is impossible for someone from the outside to see into his home—with only a neighbouring property located behind his house. He asserts this minimises the potential for suspects to observe his goings-on.
But, he says, with the police not following up on any form of information, it feels as if the law has failed him.
Due to the alleged behaviour by the police, Delport believes the perpetrators have become more blatant in their attacks against him and his family. This follows offenders attempting to break into his home for a second time—the latest incident taking place during the early hours of 1 December 2020.
Fortunately, Delport says he was awake at the time, and the perpetrators left. However, he contacted the SAPS, but to no avail, as the police never even pitched up to investigate the second incident. This even though, the perpetrators attempted to break into a neighbour’s home shortly afterwards.
Now looking at the dire situation and the remedy required, Newcastle SAPS Corporate Communications and Liaison Officer, Lizzy Arumugam, says it is important to note, that if anyone is not satisfied with the investigating officer, the complainant can put in a complaint against the officer. The complaint will then be investigated.
Furthermore, Arumugam states if an individual still receives no joy, they can then contact Detective-Commander Colonel JJ Kubheka on 082 373 8693. She further stipulates that there is absolutely no reason that an investigating officer should not communicate with the complainant.
If an investigating officer does not keep an open line of communication open, they should be reported to their respective commander immediately.
As for the issue pertaining to the fingerprints, Arumugam explains that the process is more in-depth than many understand. “Firstly, the Fingerprint expert goes to the scene, they dust for fingerprints which then goes on the National Database, which is called AVIS. It is only when a person is arrested that their fingerprints are taken and then submitted to the National Database for scanning for positive identification.” This process, according to Arumugam, can take a matter of days or at times, even months.
Regarding Delport’s concerns about the secondhand dealers, she points out, “The secondhand dealers contact the police if they find anything suspicious. Also, the pawnshop and secondhand dealers are visited weekly by the police,” as to ensure no stolen goods are sold to these organisations.”
With the police coming under immense scrutiny this year, it is crucial to highlight residents can take further steps and report incidents to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
The IPID is an influential independent investigate oversight body which ensures that policing is committed to promoting respect for the rule of law and human dignity.
In conclusion, the police are here to serve and protect, and if they are not doing so, then it is your civic duty to take the matter further until you receive the justice you deserve.
Have you experienced similar treatment from the police If so, share your experience in the comment section below?
Authors: Quinton Boucher and Calvin Swemmer
Edited: Calvin Swemmer
One Response
I am dissapointed in the response from the liason,
Let me state a few things,
1. The fingerprints were taken around 6 hours after the crime, this is acceptable,
However, it is not acceptable that we waited a week for mine and my wifes prints to be taken to rule us out, and then a further few days until the workers of the complex was taken. This was one and a half weeks after the robbery ” which actually was a home invasion,. As we were home, we were just lucky none of us were hurt.”
These still have not been processed or checked.
2. We put in a complaint with the captain,
He said he would fetch us as we have no transport the following day to come in and speak to the department head,
No one came,
I spoke to the captain the following day,
He said someone would come
No on arrived.
I called the Captain by the end of the day,
He advised no one would come and garnished the department heads number.
I called immediately, this now kicked started the Guys in fetching me to visit the oawn shops, weeks after the robbery.
As you can see , i have put in a complaint, and spoke directly to both the Captain and the Department Head.
3. Crucial evidence would be Viable camera footage, the fact that little effort to get this from 3 different points around the area has been taken, is disturbing.
4. Ive sent text messages , to which i can garnish, that will show me litterally begging my IO for help with no reply, i Tried calling, No Answer, Ive spoken to every person I could, What is our recourse to remedy?
5. The guys are brazen enough to come back , yet when i called 10111 the phone rang out, I tried calling my Investigating Officer, No answer, i called the department Head, he said someone would be over.
The Old lady Next door recieved a call from a very rude Warrent Officer litterally shouting on the phone ” when pointed out, he said he just speaks very loud” she took offence and gave me the phone saying she cannot speak to him, this is now the lady who owns the house they broke into,
I took the phone, his attitude was terrible, moaning at me for phoning the head of the department, eventually to the point i asked for his name and put the phone down,
I called the department Head again and reported this, he said he will sort it out and someone will come.
We were then notified , because of the strike in town they would come later,
No one ever did,
And to this day i have heard nothing from my Investigating officer, even after i notified her of the second attempt to break in.
What are we now to do?
Clearly the SAPS has failed us and it seems there is no Justice or law in this country that can protect Good people anymore