Hollywood Good

Abuse of power by the police and traffic authorities has come under the spotlight following the broadcast of film footage showing Tshwane Metro police members manhandling a woman, handcuffing and arresting her for a parking violation.

The incident, which happened at the end of November last year, was captured by one of the Tshwane municipality's security cameras.

The footage - broadcast by Carte Blanche on Sunday night and soon to be made available on YouTube - shows the brutal treatment of 24-year-old Magdel Steyn who was jailed overnight for double parking.

About 11 traffic officials were shown to take control of the situation as Steyn was grabbed by a female Metro officer who threw her against the roof of a Metro tow truck. She was told that her car was to be impounded.

Annemarie Steyn, who kept pleading for an explanation for what wrong had been done, was prevented from helping her daughter who was pushed around and roughly cuffed with her hands behind her back.

Metro police spokesman Console Tleane said Magdel had failed to heed verbal warnings that she was obstructing traffic and therefore endangering the lives of other road users. The circumstances had come about because she had been unco-operative, prompting the Metro official to call for back-up.

Magdel spent the night at the Sunnyside police cells, while her frantic mother was told she would be charged with attempted murder. However, the next morning Magdel was charged in court with reckless and negligent driving and ordered to pay an admission of guilt fine of R1 500 to go free.

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The Steyn family has laid criminal charges against the Tshwane Metro police for Magdel's injuries and suffering as well as thousands of rands stolen from her impounded car, and damage caused to the interior because the windows were left open during a rain storm.

Tleane said the entire matter was under investigation, and no action has been taken against anyone.

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