Naas le Roux is fuming, and it’s not hard to see why.
Across the country, criminals often seem to operate with a complete sense of impunity (as do the cops), yet le Roux was arrested for breaking curfew at around 1AM on January 7.
That’s well outside the curfew hours, but it’s the fact that le Roux was buying baby formula for his two-day-old baby that has seen anger directed the way of the officers.
Now le Roux says he is taking legal action against the two officers who arrested him, and SAPS, “for trauma, fear, and violation of his rights”.
More from News24:
He was arrested despite showing the two officers the baby formula milk and receipt of purchase.
His wife, Natasha, was forced to walk carrying the new-born baby and fetch Le Roux’s vehicle.
Natasha was also threatened with arrest at a police station, after being told by the two arresting officers to come and pay bail for Le Roux.
Here’s the footage le Roux filmed during the arrest:
Police in this country have to put up with all sorts of nonsense from the general public, but the approach here seems overly hostile.
Then again, you have wannabe gangster and ‘prat in a hat’ Bheki Cele calling the shots, and he’s not exactly known for his soft touch.
After a backlash, the charges against le Roux have been withdrawn. He also alleges that police “discarded” of his proof of purchase receipt:
“I do feel relieved that there will not be a court appearance. It is good to know that that is at least behind us. Apologies (from SAPS) will not serve any purpose. Apologies will not help. I can’t see that an apology will make everything disappear,” said Le Roux.
Family lawyer Lily Rautenbach, confirmed that they are proceeding with the civil claim against the officers, police commissioner General Khehla Sitole, and relevant authorities.
Rautenbach said they are still working on finalising an amount with regards to suing.
Those arguing in le Roux’s favour could point to the SAPS being thinly stretched, yet choosing to use some of its scant resources to bring in a man who was simply trying to feed his days-old baby.
[source:news24]
