MITCHELL’S PLAIN
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TUESDAY 31 January 2017 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za
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‘Stop making false abuse claims’
CPF
Loonat hits back EARL HAUPT @EarlHaupt
the procedures at last week’s meeting were irregular. “I have become aware of deliberations and engagements by a cabal in the Mitchell’s Plain cluster instigated by the chairperson of the provincial CPF board for some time now. I also have reason to believe that there are certain police officers who are complicit in this plot to remove me,” says Loonat. “I condemn the manner in which the current process was executed for the following reasons: The meeting concerned was our ordinary monthly cluster CPF meeting hijacked by the provincial CPF chairperson, Andrew Lyon, who usurped my position as chairperson of the meeting,” alleges Loonat. He adds that Lyon was advised by the provincial police’s legal team that the procedures being followed at the time were improper, unconstitutional and illegal. Loonat says Lyon then proceeded with a new agenda to remove him. Loonat says he objected to the letter of allegations which Lyon tabled against him and that this was dismissed by Lyon. V Continued on page 4.
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anif Loonat yesterday (Monday) reacted angrily to his ousting as Mitchell’s Plain’s cluster community policing forum (CPF) chairperson. Ebrahim Abrahams was elected as the cluster’s interim chairperson at a meeting of the Mitchell’s Plain cluster on Wednesday. The police stations in the cluster include Grassy Park, Lansdowne, Mitchell’s Plain, Steenberg, Athlone, Lentegeur, Strandfontein and Philippi. The decision to oust Loonat was supported by seven of the eight stations. This is not the first time Loonat has been removed. He was suspended as chairperson of the Western Cape CPF in 2013 before being reinstated. He was also ousted as Lansdowne CPF chairperson in 2015 weeks after being elected to the position. He was then reelected before becoming the Mitchell’s Plain CPF cluster chairperson. Loonat issued a statement yesterday in which he alleges that
Hanif Loonat PHOTO: PETER ABRAHAMS/ SON
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Misusing a protection order not only wastes the court’s time, it also takes the time of police officers who need to focus on serious cases of domestic violence. This is the sentiment of local officers following an increase in false reports of domestic violence. Sergeant Cathy Meyer, Lentegeur police spokesperson, says this policing cluster, which includes Mitchell’s Plain, Lentegeur, Athlone, Philippi, Grassy Park, Steenberg, Strandfontein and Lansdowne police stations, has seen an increase in reports of domestic violence that are later withdrawn at court. “We have a problem with domestic violence cases in the cluster where people are opening cases. Some are not relevant cases where they are using it to their advantage and the people who really need it are not reporting,” says Meyer. Meyer says people misuse the protection order issued by the court in cases of domestic violence. “People know that the protection order comes with a warrant of arrest so people go to the court and lie to the court.” Often this is used for revenge. “When the husband finds out that his wife has taken out a protection order, he goes and makes a case as well to get her back.” In other cases, she says they would use the interdict to have free time or go out. Residents are urged to not make fake claims as it keeps police from focussing on serious cases. “The court sees domestic violence as a serious offence. And when they are both locked up they tell the truth but by then it is too late,” she says. “Following an increase in cases being made and withdrawn, the station management has made a rule that they are no longer allowing cases to be withdrawn. The matter will go to court and the magistrate must decide.” This means that should it be proven that a case was made with false pretences, the offender could be found in contempt of court and charged with perjury which can lead to a R5000 fine or up to five years in prison, explains Meyer.
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