I grew up with a police force I was ashamed of and I was scared of. They inflicted the views of a racist, sexist, bigoted government.
When I ran a nightclub in Cape Town called "The Mix", we were raided and arrested so often it became a joke all because we allowed peoples of different skin colours to frequent the same place and drink and dance together, rights we now take totally for granted.
When I ran a nightclub in Cape Town called "The Mix", we were raided and arrested so often it became a joke all because we allowed peoples of different skin colours to frequent the same place and drink and dance together, rights we now take totally for granted.
As a gay man, I knew to watch my back and that given the slightest chance I would be locked up and prosecuted for being with other men. A once good friend was once forced to move away from a park bench when he was accused of loitering. All he was doing was sitting on a bench on the Sea Point Promenade.
Before the days of the Internet and Gaydar and Facebook, you either met someone at a nightclub, through friends or you even cruised "The Wall" which was a stretch along the Sea Point Promenade to pick someone up. if you wanted a "Rent" boy you went either to Burg Street in the city or you went to the Cape Town or Rondebosch Station at night. You lived in fear as the police targeted "gay" spots and lifestyles. You lived in fear of being arrested and beaten up just for being gay. We forget that the previous government did not look very favourably on homosexuality.
Sure things have changed in our country and crime seems much higher but trust me we had crime back then and often the crime was perpetrated by or at least sanctioned by the Police.
As manyf people already know, last week I was hijacked at Gun point together with a friend of mine. Two men came at us with guns on the boundary between Kenilworth and Claremont and forced us out of my car ensuring us they they would not hesitate to shoot us if we did not do exactly as they said. We complied and my heart sank as I watched a villain drive away in my car along with some of my prised belongings.
Then began what I thought was to be a nightmare in trying to get assistance. Using my friends mobile phone which he had shoved into the back of his jeans when the robbers were asking us for our personal effects, I attempted to call 112, the cellular emergency number. Let me advise you right now, DO NOT BOTHER WITH 112 on a mobile. The system they have is just way to slow, cumbersome and ineffective to use when you are in a crises. Save the police and other important numbers to your phone. Rather dial information and get the number for the closest police station. That will work! 112 DOES NOT WORK!
After trying for a few minutes to use the 112 system, we rather used one of my friends neighbours land line, we got hold of the Claremont police station and asked for help. The police woman efficiently took down the details of where we were and then began taking other details. As she battled with getting my surname down I became slightly irritated thinking "while you are asking me all these question the bastards are getting away with my stuff." I was wrong because whilst still on the phone to the police station, the police began to arrive. First a police van and then more and then the detectives began to arrive. I was amazed!
Five minutes after my call there was total controlled, efficient action. Our statements were taken whilst other police started to disseminate the information on cell phones and police radios. I learned that I was the 3rd victim of hijacking in that area that night and that two the other two vehicles had already been found parked in Rondebosch. I told the police that my mobile phone was still in the vehicle and that it was still on. An inspector immediately placed a trace on my phone and they began tracing my things around Cape Town.
Not for one second did our being gay, in any way arise as an issue. We openly described one of the identifying features of my car as being a gay rainbow sticker on the back. When asking how we had reacted to the hijackers by friend responded by telling them that "I am a gay boy and I'm hardly going to try anything stupid in a situation like this."Not one snigger or even a look came our way. The police continued to do thier jobs. I felt safe again. I felt I could trust this new police force. I knew and could see that they knew their work and they were doing it well for me.
The next thing we started getting sms's from the police to notify us that our case had be lodged and that my car had been listed as missing. We were still at the scene and this data began coming through. I was so impressed.
Another detective arrived and we were shown mugshots of criminals to see if we might recognise any of our attackers which unfortunately we were unable to do.
Then the police came and suggested that we take trauma counselling which they offered us. At first I said I did not need it but after advice from ALL my Friends changed my mind and spoke with the Claremont police counsellor. Again I was totally impressed and I will be going back for more counselling to deal with this.
The whole week I kept in touch with the police regarding my goods and my car.
Yesterday afternoon, just as I'd given up any hope of seeing my car or goods again, the police called and left a message on Tom's phone to say, "Please call to make an appointment to come and identify your vehicle."
Let me end this by saying, "I am impressed! VERY impressed!" Well done SAP!!!!! Well done and thanks!!!!
