News24.com | OPINION: Threatened with arrest for driving too slowly and placed at risk of infection

OPINION: Threatened with arrest for driving too slowly and placed at risk of infection

W24 editor Nthabi Nhlapo was pulled over and threatened by law enforcement. (Motorpress)

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I could no longer make myself speak or try to reason with this man who was hurling insults at me, at very close range through my window - effectively putting my brother and me at risk of possible infection, writes Nthabi Nhlapo. 

My eyes had been giving me problems for the past few weeks and I needed to have scans done.

At this particular centre, you park in front of the store you are visiting, thus eliminating contact with large groups of people. 

While I was at the centre, I was wearing the last surgical mask I had and knew I needed more masks.

I noticed that the optometrist's receptionist was wearing a cloth mask and asked her where she bought it. She gave me a phone number to call, which I did as soon as I was finished with my optometry engagement.  

The person on the other end of the line told me that they still had masks, and I could come and buy them in Krugersdorp, about 14km from where I was.

So, I used GPS co-ordinates to get me there.

This would be a decision that brought me to perhaps one of the most de-humanising, senseless and abusive encounters of my life at the hands of law enforcement.

My younger brother, who is a student, was with me and he too was left feeling belittled and traumatised. 

As I was driving, 3km from my destination, I was abruptly ordered to stop by a white vehicle with blue police sirens.

The occupant charged out of the car, screaming and shouting that I was driving too slowly in the fast lane.

It was an 80 km/h zone near West Gate Shopping Centre – a busy road and I was driving at around 65 to 70km/h.   

The officer seemed annoyed that he couldn't overtake as there was another vehicle driving next to mine. 

When he got to my window, he was still screaming and demanding to know why I was driving slowly and not moving to the slow lane.

I tried to explain that I had a turn coming up ahead. 

He then asked where we were going and if I had a permit.

I knew I hadn't broken any traffic or lockdown rules so told him that I was going to buy masks and don't need a permit to do so.

I also added that I didn't know where the place was, but we were using GPS directions to get there - only 3km away at that point. 

Again he started screaming and saying that I had no right to be on the street, and should be buying masks at Checkers or Dis-Chem.

He then proceeded to call me a liar with an attitude, seemingly angry that I told him I didn't require a permit.  

I was quite confused, felt mistreated and angry, but I tried to remain calm and attempted to show him text messages between myself and the vendor of the masks, but he refused to hear anything, all the while shouting and screaming over me as I tried to explain.

His voice became louder as the interaction continued.

"I won't talk to you because you have an attitude, and you're lying to me. You'll be disappointed. You think you know a lot, but what you don't know is that I can throw you in jail right now." 

Still refusing to speak to me or to explain the real reason he had stopped us, he went on to address my brother, and shouting the same questions at him saying, "I won’t listen to this one (pointing at me), I can see she a liar and I’ll ruin her day". 

When I tried to tell him that he should be speaking to me and to explain which law was broken as I am the driver, he then shouted even more and attempted to shove me back in my seat so he could address my brother directly. 

"It will cost me nothing to lock you up, and you won't be released. You'll be disappointed when I leave you crying in a jail cell. Even your insurance won't pay you if a taxi drives into you because you are gallivanting around without a permit." 

At this point, I was feeling de-humanised, targeted, and frankly, powerless.

I could no longer make myself speak or try to reason with this man who was hurling insults at me, at very close range through my window - effectively putting my brother and me at risk of possible infection. 

Fortunately, at some point during the abusive rant, I took a video of parts of it because it was clear that no misunderstanding had occurred; I was being victimised for a reason I still cannot figure out.  

My brother was forced to apologise, repeatedly and profusely, before we were "dismissed" from the officer's abusive rant. I wasn't able to speak for a while after the incident. 

And yes, I am still angry and feel degraded.  But as a woman, I know this will not be the last time. 

- Nthabi Nhlapo is editor of W24