By Buziwe Nocuze
Tavern and shebeen owners in Cape Town are accusing police officers from Nyanga and Brown’s Farm of extorting money from them.
A tavern owner who wanted to stay anonymous said they are tired of working for the police.
“We are just trying to feed our families. We don’t have licences, but that doesn’t give them the right to treat us this way,” the owner said.
The owner said that police arrive around 2am, break down doors, and ask why they are selling alcohol without a licence.
“Instead of arresting us or taking the alcohol to the station, they ask for money. We give it to them because they search the whole house and force us to pay,” he said.
“Last month, they came three times. I had to use money meant for my child’s school transport to pay them.”
The police officers allegedly split the money between themselves.
Another tavern owner said: “We are in trouble if we think the police will help. They take money, drinks, and cigarettes from foreign shops, then come to us, the tavern owners, asking for money,” he said.
“It’s not just Nyanga or Browns Farm. People in Gugulethu say the same thing. This needs to stop. It’s wrong.”
The owners also said that if the police don’t find money, they take alcohol and come back later to collect money.
They said it’s hard to identify the officers because they don’t wear name tags, and sometimes they hide their faces with masks.
“If we try to take pictures of their vehicles, they break or take our phones. We need help to stop this,” said an owner.
Dumisani Qwabe, secretary of the Nyanga Community Policing Forum, asked the tavern owners to try to identify the officers.
“They should try to get their names or take pictures of the vehicles. Neighbours can also help.”
Phaladi Shuping, the spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, said the tavern owners can file complaints against the police by calling the toll-free number 0800 111 969.
Pictured above: Tavern owners say police officers take money and alcohol without filing reports.
Source: Buziwe Nocuze
