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 Cops in 'raid of terror'
    January 27 2009 at 07:02AM Get IOL on your
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By Alex Eliseev

When officers stormed the Doors nightclub and began raiding it for drugs and underage patrons, Yolandi Brits asked if she could fetch her driving licence from the car.

Instead of being granted a chance to prove she was 21, she was thrown into a police van, dragged out of it by her feet and beaten so severely, she landed up in hospital.

Her story is one of more than a dozen of how a "nightmare" raid was conducted by Ekurhuleni metro police department (EMPD) officers in Edenvale at the weekend.

The raid has sparked a criminal investigation - initiated by Brits - and an internal probe, and a string of civil suits are expected to be launched against the EMPD.
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The Doors' management was due to host a meeting tonight to discuss taking further action against officers who treated its patrons "like terrorists".

EMPD spokesperson Inspector Mveli Nhlapo on Monday said 35 people were tested for drugs, with 17 being arrested.

Other arrests included that of three alleged drug dealers, five people in possession of stolen goods, and a drunk driver.

Some of those drinking liquor illegally were as young as 12, Nhlapo claimed, and the "large quantity" of drugs seized ranged from dagga to cocaine.

But Edenvale SA Police Service spokesperson Inspector Jean Olckers said only 16 cases were registered - all for the "use of drugs" (following the urine tests).

Olckers said no drugs were booked in as evidence and no underage drinkers were detained.

He confirmed that a case of assault had been opened against the EMPD.

Brits recalled on Monday how she was punched and kicked in the face by three officers - including two females - after raising objections to her arrest and the assault of another woman outside the club.

She was then forced to take a urine test at a nearby licensing centre, but was released after testing negative.


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Showing page 1 of 6 comment pages, 57 total comments
54 Weeks ago Quintin wrote :
I was there to on Friday night & was supprised that the cops can waist resources on a bunch of fun rockers instead of attending to house breaks & hijackings, robberies etc. Leave us alone & worry about the real crimes. If they want to do drug tests start at the schools.
54 Weeks ago White is Right? wrote :
What the...? Well Mr White and Right, it's the people like you that we don't need in this country, so good riddence. If you couln't cut it here I hope it's easier for you there with your "white" buddies, you racist pig! I happen to think SA is GREAT with all it's challengers. BTW, if you so glad you left our shores, then why the interest in our news, think about it ?
54 Weeks ago WHITE AND RIGHT ! wrote :
Oh well, this is just one more reason to reinforce why we now live in Australia, and love it! White cops who treat white people with dignity and respect.I will never, ever set foot inside South Africa again.......it's a sh**hole run by a***holes! So glad to be out of it.At least I can rest easy now when my kids go out.
54 Weeks ago Piet wrote :
OK. Let's take it easy for a sec, shall we. I am a police officer, working 12+ hours a day, having to listen to the public, criticizing us, for not doing enough about crime in SA. Now, if I try to do something - is not right either. Please do yourself a favor, before getting all excited in here. Visit your local Police Station and ask to become a Police Reservist. If you are close to Jeffrey's Bay I can take you on a drug busting tour or a 'party raid'. After that come back in here and report - it does make sens doesn't it? I am curious if you will write the same stuff, after been spat in the face by a 15 year old drunk girl, which threatened you with her dad's credentials before passing out, while her drunk/drugged buddies encouraged her to 'kick some police butt'. - Welcome to the real world -
54 Weeks ago Eugene wrote :
If the EMPD did their job and kept the drugs off the street and before it gets there then maybe there would have been no 'reason' for a raid. What are we suppose to do now? I hope the people that are laying the charges benefit from this and get paid out Millions! Afterall, Millions get stolen everyday so there is plenty to go round for all.
54 Weeks ago Eugene wrote :
If the EMPD did their job and kept the drugs off the street and before it gets there then maybe there would have been no 'reason' for a raid. What are we suppose to do now? I hope the people that are laying the charges benefit from this and get paid out Millions! Afterall, Millions get stolen everyday so there is plenty to go round for all.
54 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
How does one have any respect for, or faith in a service that is supposed to protect you and your human rights?A service that we pay for through our Tax contributions? This is the level of officer that we are dealing with in South Africa at the moment and so I ask: where is the education? Where do we go to protect ourselves from the Police?
54 Weeks ago G1 wrote :
Ever wondered y that particular club and by more than 20 cops would raided on that nite.....and now everyone's playnig the innocent game. Drugs, prostitution, bouncer beatings and the list goes on...thats what happens in these "Crimminal Paradises", We all know that.
HOPE IT GETS CLOSED DOWN AND THE OWNER BE BROUGHT TO BOOK.
54 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
I HAVE NOTICED THAT SA'S POLICE FORCE ARE TERRIFIED OF THEIR OWN SIZE. THEY TEND TO BULLY INNOCENT PEOPLE. THEY ARE SO RUDE AND INCOMPETENT. THEY CANT DO THEIR JOBS, THEREFORE SA IS IN SUCH A STATE WITH CRIME. MAKES ME WONDER WHO YOU COULD TRUST MORE CRIMINALS OR THE SAP. LORD HELP MET TO NEVER EVER BE IN NEED OF SA'S POLICE .
54 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
Doesn't anyone get it? It is called SMALL MAN syndrome, these police get their behinds wipped so badly by the criminals in South Africa, that they only place they can feel powerful is giving innocent people a hard time. I pity the police who were involved, actually I pity their wives, because they probably play the same game at home (wife beating etc) to those under them...