Photo: Unsplash
Photo: Unsplash
A graduate employee from Durban, KZN was arrested over the weekend for breaking curfew – after he allegedly went to assist a friend who had been targeted by a mugger. According to his own testimony and the account of his boss, the youngster sprang into action to help those stranded, before he was confronted by some overzealous police officers.
‘Crazy’ curfew cops cuff compassionate companion
The friend’s car broke down in the middle of Durban on Saturday evening. At that point, the couple in the vehicle were robbed of their valuables. In a state following their ordeal, they gave the financial services worker (who has chosen to remain anonymous) a call – and he immediately darted into action, collecting the petrified pair from the roadside.
After the female victim was returned home, the other pair were collared by the police just after the curfew kicked in. Given that they were both outside of their homes during the nine-hour shutdown, officers decided to make an arrest.
KZN man arrested for ‘breaking curfew’
The ridiculous altercation further compounded the stress and terror of this evening from hell. The 25-year-old made a call to his workplace, explaining the utterly bizarre set of events. Stuart Johnson was all too happy to vouch for his employee, and fronted the cash to get him a lawyer. Johnson’s account of the situations sums it up perfectly:
“Tomorrow an employee appears in the Magistrate’s Court for breaching curfew. He went to help a friend whose car broke down in Central Durban at 19:30. The friend and girlfriend were mugged. She got a lift, arrived home frantic after midnight. They went to help, but were arrested and charged – with no lee-way. Police had zero sympathy.”
“They would not go to the broken-down car two minutes away. He’s in our Graduate program. We’re in financial services. A conviction sees him debarred. We’ve paid for an attorney, to make sure he has a chance. A 25-year-old is about to have his future kicked for something relatively small – yet some people are treasonous and remain free.”
All’s well that ends well…
Thankfully, common sense prevailed in the courtroom on Monday morning. Johnson Tweeted an update, saying that the case was processed ‘within five minutes’. The annoyance of all involved, however, remains apparent.
Update – all charges dropped.
— Stuart Johnson (@stujohnson69) July 5, 2021
Five minute discussion between attorney & Prosecutor.
Thanks @Java25 for info that a medical/security emergency allows breaking curfew.
Sorry that SAPS didn't follow that at the start.
Would have saved these youngsters a lot of angst, time & expense. https://t.co/ayxQePNo8F
- And, as one social media user pointed out, the current laws do make exemptions for medical or security emergences.
— Kathy Paterson (@Java25) July 4, 2021
