What began as a routine walk home for a female Barrydale resident escalated into one of the most troubling allegations of law enforcement misconduct the village has seen in years.
More concerning though is that five months have passed after the incident and despite a public promise from Swellendam Municipality to investigate, it would appear that no action has been taken by management.
No findings have been released and the officers accused of intimidation have been held to account.
The resident reported that on 2 and 3 June she was confronted by three municipal law enforcement officers who had allegedly threatened her with arrest, demanded immediate payment of traffic fines, made personal remarks, revealed her private information to bystanders and attempted to access her phone.
She claimed that the officers mocked her, questioned her personal relationships and behaved in a way she describes as humiliating and targeted.
According to her account, the officers returned the following morning, repeating similar conduct outside her home. They also took her to Swellendam Magistrate’s Court – no indemnity form for driving in a government vehicle was signed by the Barrydale resident.
On July 4, the municipality acknowledged the complaint and released a statement assuring the public that an internal investigation had been launched. The municipality said that sworn statements would be collected and that the process would be “fair, thorough, and respectful.”
However, information obtained by News62 shows that only the complainant’s statement was taken.
There is no evidence that the officers accused of harassment were reprimanded or suspended.
Despite the municipality’s commitment to uphold residents’ dignity and ensure ethical law enforcement conduct, the investigation has stalled. Nearly five months later, the municipality has not issued the promised follow-up response, leaving the complainant and without answers.
News62 followed up this matter with the municipality last week, but officials have not yet responded to our enquiries.
