Police Minister says Malema should report alleged intimidation
Police minister, Nkosinathi Nhleko on Monday called on EFF leader Julius Malema to report his alleged intimidation by police in Sandton.
The EFF released a statement saying Malema was stopped by a white unmarked van at the Grayston drive off-ramp in Sandton on Sunday evening and was then surrounded by some 10 police cars.
"The police then all came out pointing guns at his car and forced him out. The entire intersection at the Grayston Drive off-ramp was blocked, isolating him from the rest of the traffic," the EFF said.
The EFF said they viewed the incident as a clear act of intimidation and that Malema was followed from a manifesto meeting in Soweto.
Nhleko called on Malema to report the incident to the nearest police station to enable police to probe the alleged incident.
"It would help the police immensely if Mr Malema were to report the incident - and other incidents referred to by the EFF spokesperson so that these could be investigated thoroughly. It does not serve any purpose to accuse police without opening the necessary complaint to allow the police to fully investigate these complaints. If any of the members were to be found to have acted or are acting outside of the SAPS Code of Conduct, I would urge the Acting National Commissioner to take necessary action against those members as soon as possible," Nhleko said.
The Minister also asked Malema to report this matter to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate so that a body, independent of SAPS can probe the allegations.
The EFF had indicated that they would not approach the police over the matter.
Edited by Faith Daniels