Police are investigating a claim that a stabbed man was forced to withdraw an assault case because, he was told, it would be too hard to find his attacker.
Despite being stabbed 13 times and still in pain, East London police told Jason Pieterse, of Greenfields, not to pursue the case because the attacker was unknown, he said.
Pieterse initially agreed to withdraw the case but said yesterday he was angry with the police.
Responding to his allegations East London police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mtati Tana said an investigation would be launched and the officer would be asked to explain his actions.
Tana said the provincial head of detective services would supervise it.
“Eastern Cape police would like to condemn the alleged behaviour and conduct of East London police as it is unacceptable to our organisation,” he said.
“The primary duty of the SAPS and its members is to assist the members of the public whenever they come to the police station to open a case, irrespective of its circumstances, and investigate.”
Tana said a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was opened but no one had so far been arrested.
Pieterse was stabbed 13 times by the knifeman just before 6pm on June 10 as he was fixing his vehicle’s engine on Settlers Way near the Orange Grove turnoff.
His 20-year-old girlfriend Marizelle Delport was with him.
He said he had noticed a “young” man who could possibly have been under the influence of drugs.
The youth approached him and his girlfriend. He told his girlfriend to get into the car and lock the door.
He also got into the car and locked the door but the man proceeded to bang on Delport’s window so he got out.
“We started fighting ... he withdrew a knife and stabbed me many times.
Pieterse said he had also withdrawn his pocket knife and stabbed the attacker on the face and chest.
A security officer saw what was happening and ran to them.
The suspect fled. Later Pieterse’s mother arrived and he was taken to Frere Hospital where he spent the night. “The doctors said I was lucky to be alive.”
Pieterse was discharged the following day and went to report the case at the Fleet Street police station on Friday.
“I spent four hours queuing and when I was finally attended to I was told it would be useless to open up a case as the police would not be able to find the suspect.”
Pieterse said he demanded a case be opened and police finally agreed.
“On Saturday a detective came by my house and asked me to sign a form that would allow him to close the case.
“He said it would be difficult to find a ghost suspect; he said if the suspect was spotted they will reopen the case,” Pieterse said. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Cops to probe officer’s refusal to investigate case
Despite being stabbed 13 times and still in pain, East London police told Jason Pieterse, of Greenfields, not to pursue the case because the attacker was unknown, he said.
Pieterse initially agreed to withdraw the case but said yesterday he was angry with the police.
Responding to his allegations East London police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mtati Tana said an investigation would be launched and the officer would be asked to explain his actions.
Tana said the provincial head of detective services would supervise it.
“Eastern Cape police would like to condemn the alleged behaviour and conduct of East London police as it is unacceptable to our organisation,” he said.
“The primary duty of the SAPS and its members is to assist the members of the public whenever they come to the police station to open a case, irrespective of its circumstances, and investigate.”
Tana said a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was opened but no one had so far been arrested.
Pieterse was stabbed 13 times by the knifeman just before 6pm on June 10 as he was fixing his vehicle’s engine on Settlers Way near the Orange Grove turnoff.
His 20-year-old girlfriend Marizelle Delport was with him.
He said he had noticed a “young” man who could possibly have been under the influence of drugs.
The youth approached him and his girlfriend. He told his girlfriend to get into the car and lock the door.
He also got into the car and locked the door but the man proceeded to bang on Delport’s window so he got out.
“We started fighting ... he withdrew a knife and stabbed me many times.
Pieterse said he had also withdrawn his pocket knife and stabbed the attacker on the face and chest.
A security officer saw what was happening and ran to them.
The suspect fled. Later Pieterse’s mother arrived and he was taken to Frere Hospital where he spent the night. “The doctors said I was lucky to be alive.”
Pieterse was discharged the following day and went to report the case at the Fleet Street police station on Friday.
“I spent four hours queuing and when I was finally attended to I was told it would be useless to open up a case as the police would not be able to find the suspect.”
Pieterse said he demanded a case be opened and police finally agreed.
“On Saturday a detective came by my house and asked me to sign a form that would allow him to close the case.
“He said it would be difficult to find a ghost suspect; he said if the suspect was spotted they will reopen the case,” Pieterse said. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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