AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit today assisted Werner Pretorius, the owner of Hennie’s Restaurant in Moreleta Park, in laying criminal charges of fraud and theft at the Garsfontein police station against several police officers working at the station.
This follows after police officers confiscated alcohol worth thousands of rands at the restaurant in an unlawful and irrational manner. The officers also unlawfully arrested the restaurant manager, Atrayo Nolte, alleging that he served alcohol to clients while the sales of alcohol were illegal due to lockdown regulations.
The confiscated alcohol was kept at the Garsfontein police station for several days, even after the National Prosecuting Authority dropped all charges against Nolte. The alcohol was however returned to the restaurant after the owner’s first consultation with AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit. Apart from some of the stock being missing, some of the bottles’ contents were also replaced with tea.
Adv. Gerrie Nel, Head of the Private Prosecution Unit, says this is one of several cases his unit has been involved in resulting from police officers abusing their power. “Several victims have contacted us for assistance after being treated unfairly and unreasonably by the police. What makes this very shocking, is the fact that there seems to be no consequences for police officers who make themselves guilty of criminal conduct and this cannot be tolerated.”
The Private Prosecution Unit will monitor the police’s handling of the theft charges closely to ensure that the guilty parties are held accountable.