Hey everyone very off-topic but had this happen to me and my hubby just now, feeling very vulnerable. We went off to the cableway with family visiting from the UK. Its a beautiful day in cape town so everyone had the same idea. Amongst the ques of cars and a patrolling cop car etc we pulled out before getting parked in and found a place to turn around. After having parked for about ten minutes and given up on the idea of going up the mountain. Driving back along the one access road to the cableway the cop car pulled across the road stopped us and three officers asked us to get out of the vehicle. They then asked us if they could search the vehicle, I as the owner and driver did not say yes, I asked why, to which They responded we pulled away suspiciously (still no explanation as to what they were looking for). At the same time as this my passenger (partner) in panic and under stress told one officer to search the vehicle which he just went about doing. But the owner of the vehicle, me, had not given the legally required permission to do so, had not agreed to terms of search such as yes you may but only one officer and only within my presence and line of sight etc all as I understand it legally permitted, it ensures no planting of evidence or illegal removal of my property.
They then proceeded to search my partners person in public, but didnt search me, or request to. Interesting that they search the colored guy and not the white (hate saying it, but they searched him, his side of the car, his bag, his groin and not mine). I dont know what to make of it, they found nothing as I said family outing up the mountain but I felt really violated by this. I question the whole precedent, reasonable cause is what is required to carry out such an investigation. Since when is pulling out of a parking and turning ur car around to leave reasonable cause to suspect a criminal situation and publicly accost and humiliate two members of the public. Who happen to be late twenties, male and interracial. I dunno maybe I need to stop wearing beanies. A minor incident really, but it makes you feel so powerless in your own country.
They then proceeded to search my partners person in public, but didnt search me, or request to. Interesting that they search the colored guy and not the white (hate saying it, but they searched him, his side of the car, his bag, his groin and not mine). I dont know what to make of it, they found nothing as I said family outing up the mountain but I felt really violated by this. I question the whole precedent, reasonable cause is what is required to carry out such an investigation. Since when is pulling out of a parking and turning ur car around to leave reasonable cause to suspect a criminal situation and publicly accost and humiliate two members of the public. Who happen to be late twenties, male and interracial. I dunno maybe I need to stop wearing beanies. A minor incident really, but it makes you feel so powerless in your own country.
