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- A man arrested for violating curfew when purchasing baby formula for his two-day-old baby is suing the SAPS and two officers who arrested him.
- Naas le Roux told the media at the Afriforum offices in Pretoria that he was taking civil action for trauma, fear and violation of his rights.
- Le Roux was arrested in Centurion on January 7, after he bought a can of baby formula around 1:00 a.m. at a nearby private hospital. The charges were later dropped.
A man arrested for violating curfew when buying baby formula for his two-day-old baby is suing the SAPS and two officers who arrested him.
Naas le Roux told the media at the Afriforum offices in Pretoria that he was taking legal action against the two officers and the entire police department, for trauma, fear and violation of their rights.
Le Roux was arrested in Centurion on January 7, after buying a can of baby formula around 1:00 a.m.
He was arrested despite showing the two officers the baby formula and the purchase receipt.
His wife, Natasha, was forced to walk with the newborn baby and search for Le Roux’s vehicle.
Natasha was also threatened with arrest at a police station, after the two arresting officers told her to go bail Le Roux.
“I have to admit that the whole event is traumatic, especially afterwards when I have to see the effect it will have on my children. It is traumatic and very disappointing to see what the police did.
“When you expect them to help you, they do the opposite. We hope to move on, but at this stage we take it day by day. It is something you want to forget, but it stays in your mind, when you are at work or when you see a police vehicle. Change the view I have with [sic] the police after what they have done, ”Le Roux said.
The charges against Le Roux were subsequently dropped.
It is alleged that the police discarded Le Roux’s proof of purchase receipt and did not attach it to the file.
“I am relieved that there is no court appearance. It is good to know that at least that is behind us. Apologies (from SAPS) will be useless. Apologies won’t help. I don’t see an apology making it all go away, ”Le Roux said.
The lawyer for the family Lily Rautenbach confirmed that they are proceeding with the civil lawsuit against the officers, General Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole and the relevant authorities.
“We are definitely going to sue the individuals and the SAPS. We are still working on the quantity, ”Rautenbach said.
Gauteng police have yet to comment on the matter.
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