Cape Town - A Somali shop owner has alleged that Mfuleni police brutally assaulted his shopkeepers before robbing his convenience store of R14 000.
He claims this is the third time this year that police have raided the shop and stolen cash, airtime and goods worth thousands. The latest incident happened late last month.
Mulugeta Eridado, owner of the 50/50 Cash Shop in Bardale Squatter Camp, Mfuleni, has since lodged a complaint with police.
Police spokesman Andrè Traut confirmed that a case of theft against Mfuleni police officials had been opened.
“It was four policeman, the same as before. They always come here,” said Eridado.
He alleged policemen shoved a gun through the small opening where customers received their goods, and demanded the shopkeepers open up as they wanted to “check something inside”.
Mulugeta’s brother, Gezechaw Mulugeta, was inside the shop at the time, with co-worker Abidi Feta.
They told the Cape Times that after they had asked to see a search warrant from the police, the officers forced their way inside.
The police then allegedly demanded that the shopkeepers tell them where their money was kept.
The two men were then forced to get down on their knees with their hands raised, facing the wall, they said.
Gezechaw said the police then turned off his and Feta’s cellphones.
Gezechaw told the officers to take what money there was and to leave the two alone, as police began ransacking the shop, throwing boxes of goods on the floor.
He alleges police then took the money, which was stored in a hidden chocolate box, and began assaulting the two, kicking, hitting and pepper-spraying them.
“I don’t know why they sprayed and beat us. I told them not to hurt me… They kicked us, hit us and took everything. They locked the door and we were screaming for help,” he said.
The neighbours, alerted by the screams of the pair, began banging on the door of the shop, demanding that police open up.
He said the residents were angry and forced the police to open up the shop. They helped the two wash out their burning eyes.
After hearing of their ordeal, refugee rights activist Thomas Chamiso went to the Mfuleni police station to lay a charge against the officers.
“They must investigate. Something must be done to stop these human rights abuses. They came to this country to search for protection, not to be abused,” Chamiso said.
Traut said police had received information that there was a firearm in the shop and they were conducting a search for it.
“While the police were in the shop busy searching, another (Somali) called the community complaining that they are being robbed by the police. The police had to stop what they were doing as the community became riotous.”
He added that no firearm was found and police abandoned the search.
When contacted for comment, the Mfuleni police said they had no knowledge of the incident.
Cape Times