Unfortunately I (Jen) experienced firsthand the corruptness of some police in SA today.
I was pulled over by the police at one of their roadblocks for a licence & registration check. The policeman then proceeded to say that I was driving illegally by using my Australian licence. This is absurd. Pete was pulled over for speeding a few weeks ago. Absolutely no issues or concerns with him driving with an Australian drivers licence.
Anyway... to cut a long story short, we discussed the issue for 10-15 mins and I was getting no where. I insisted we must resolve the issue at the nearest police station... The policeman said that the only way to resolve the issue was to 'sort something out with him'.
My options:
1. give in and pay a bribe (when I know I am completely innocent)
2. keep heckling in the hope that he will give up (bear in mind he had 2 other corrupt police officers doing their best to intimidate me and we had already been conversing for 10 min…)
3. drive off (not possible because he was firmly rested on my open window and also had a gun in his pocket)
He would not let me leave, and would not let me travel to the nearest police station to resolve, therefore to avoid any further hassle he got his bribe. I'm ashamed that I paid him, but at the time it seemed the safest and best option.
Very frustrating..... and so very sad that some policemen act in this manner. SA is a country that desperately needs the enforcement and respect of police officers.
I was pulled over by the police at one of their roadblocks for a licence & registration check. The policeman then proceeded to say that I was driving illegally by using my Australian licence. This is absurd. Pete was pulled over for speeding a few weeks ago. Absolutely no issues or concerns with him driving with an Australian drivers licence.
Anyway... to cut a long story short, we discussed the issue for 10-15 mins and I was getting no where. I insisted we must resolve the issue at the nearest police station... The policeman said that the only way to resolve the issue was to 'sort something out with him'.
My options:
1. give in and pay a bribe (when I know I am completely innocent)
2. keep heckling in the hope that he will give up (bear in mind he had 2 other corrupt police officers doing their best to intimidate me and we had already been conversing for 10 min…)
3. drive off (not possible because he was firmly rested on my open window and also had a gun in his pocket)
He would not let me leave, and would not let me travel to the nearest police station to resolve, therefore to avoid any further hassle he got his bribe. I'm ashamed that I paid him, but at the time it seemed the safest and best option.
Very frustrating..... and so very sad that some policemen act in this manner. SA is a country that desperately needs the enforcement and respect of police officers.