In a shocking turn of events, 39-year-old Meshan Mawalall, who had gone missing on Monday evening after being stopped by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Durban, has been located.
The disappearance of Mr Mawalall raised concerns after it was revealed that he had allegedly been extorted by uniformed police officers.
The ordeal began when Mr Mawalall, an auto electrician, was stopped by a marked SAPS van in Bluff on Monday at about 7.30pm. He had allegedly been driving under the influence of alcohol.
Two uniformed policemen reportedly demanded R10 000 in cash for his release, effectively holding him hostage.
“With no immediate access to such a substantial amount, Mawalall was placed in a precarious position. His family was contacted, and they informed Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) about the unfolding crisis on Monday,” said RUSA’s Prem Balram.
He said the situation escalated as Mr Mawalall’s family struggled to come up with the demanded amount.
“During one of the conversations with his family, Mawalall revealed that he was being driven to an ATM by the police officers, presumably to withdraw the cash required for his release. Mawalall’s withdrawal limit was capped at R3000 per day, and he reached this limit while at an ATM at the Cornubia Shopping Mall. Consequently, he was forced to withdraw the maximum allowed amount to pay the police officers,” said Mr Balram.
He said Mr Mawalall was then released late on Monday evening.
“It remains unclear why the police officers demanded such a significant sum of money from him and what, if any, charges have been filed against those involved. The incident raises concerns about the conduct of police officers and the alleged abuse of power. The Mawalall family, in co-operation with RUSA, is expected to seek further investigation into the matter to ensure that justice is served,” said Mr Balram.
Earlier, Mawalall’s unexpected disappearance sent shockwaves through the community, with many rallying to search for him.
“What has happened is absolutely unacceptable. The very people who are supposed to protect us are the ones who are terrorising us. We feared the worst. There must be measures to ensure accountability and transparency within the police force,” said a Verulam resident Nithia Govender.
