A Barrydale woman says she was left “humiliated, intimidated and emotionally broken” after an encounter with Swellendam law enforcement officials allegedly escalated far beyond a routine enforcement interaction.
Of particular concern is the fact that, although she attempted on two occasions to report the incident to Barrydale SAPS, her complaint was initially not investigated and she did not receive a case number. The first report was made in June 2025, but police allegedly informed her that the matter would not be investigated.
I felt completely violated. My phone is private. I did not consent to anyone going through it.
Swellendam Municipality eventually took disciplinary action in December 2025 by issuing a final written warning to the official concerned. The woman again attempted to open a case and, this time, the matter was registered as an enquiry.
The enquiry ultimately led to the opening of a criminal case, and the complainant only discovered this week that the matter is due to be heard in the Barrydale Magistrate’s Court.
The complainant says she was never formally notified of the case number or court date and only became aware of the upcoming proceedings after News62 assisted her in making enquiries with the relevant authorities.
Reflecting on the incident, the woman said three law enforcement officials stopped her in Van Riebeeck Street while she was walking home. They informed her that she had outstanding traffic fines and, according to her statement, the interaction then escalated into harassment.
“I was told I would be arrested and taken to Swellendam. I felt like I had no choice. I was alone, frightened, and completely overwhelmed,” she said in her sworn statement.
According to a SAPS provincial spokesperson, the matter was initially registered as an enquiry before being converted into a criminal case.
“The matter referred to was initially registered as an enquiry and later changed to a case of crimen injuria. The investigation was concluded and the suspect was warned to appear in court on 11 June 2026,” SAPS confirmed in a statement.
Police added that they are not in a position to disclose further details at this stage.
“The SAPS would not divulge the particulars of the persons involved at this stage,” the statement read, adding that the accused has not yet made a court appearance.
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Despite this, the complainant says she was never formally informed that the matter had progressed to court.
“I had no case number, no updates, nothing. I only found out through News62 that this is actually going to court,” she said.
In her sworn statement, the complainant alleges that she was transported to Swellendam by law enforcement officials after being told she could face arrest over outstanding fines. This happened the morning after they had stopped her in the street near her house.
She further alleges that, during the encounter, she was subjected to repeated demands for immediate payment and what she describes as intimidation in a public space.
One of the most serious allegations contained in her statement relates to the handling of her mobile phone.
She alleges that an official accessed her phone, viewed missed calls and attempted to access personal information while she was engaged with law enforcement officials.
“I felt completely violated. My phone is private. I did not consent to anyone going through it,” she said.
The complainant further alleges that aspects of her personal life were referenced during the interaction, which she describes as deeply distressing and humiliating.
“The way I was spoken to, the mocking, the personal questions … I felt stripped of dignity,” she said.
While the matter now proceeds to court, the complainant says the charge of crimen injuria does not fully reflect the emotional and psychological impact of what she experienced.
“The label doesn’t capture what happened to me. It was far more than that,” she said.
The allegations contained in the complainant’s statement have not been tested in court, and no finding of guilt has been made against any party involved.
The case is expected to be heard in the Barrydale Magistrate’s Court on 11 June 2026.
