ActionSA, a South African political party, has called the release of an alleged slumlord, an undocumented foreign national, irrational. The individual, who stands accused of intimidation and harassment, is also alleged to have hijacked several buildings in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.
The controversy began when Patricia Khoza, a resident of Germiston, exposed the real person behind the hijacking of buildings in and around the area. Khoza was arrested on property damage charges after reporting her landlord, who is said to be behind many hijacked buildings in Germiston.
On Wednesday, after learning of the release of the landlord, ActionSA president Herman Mashaba said the release of the alleged culprit would put the life of the whistle-blower in harm’s way. He stated, “His release puts Ms Patricia Khoza, who reported him, at risk. This is an outrage, appreciating that this man is a potential flight risk and can flee the country undetected as he is here illegally in the first instance.”
At the time, “The Star” reported that after the landlord, who is an undocumented foreign national, was arrested, he opened a case of damage to property against Khoza, who was also arrested. The leader of ActionSA said his party has since written to the SAPS as well as Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi to raise its concerns over the release of the Nigerian national.
Mashaba said this showed the SAPS’s incompetence and disinterest in treating the matter with the gravity it deserves, adding that ActionSA has also filed a complaint with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) over the bad treatment Khoza received at the hands of the SAPS.
“This again highlights the rogue elements that exist within the SAPS and who are influenced by illegal elements, where a complainant who has laid a charge of harassment and intimidation against an illegal occupier is in turn charged and arrested,” Mashaba said.
Mashaba said ActionSA’s lawyers were able to secure Khoza’s release; however, the man’s release from custody has made her vulnerable to attacks and threats. The situation is a clear example of how the system is failing to protect citizens and instead is putting them at risk. The release of the alleged slumlord, who is also an undocumented foreign national, raises serious questions about the country’s immigration policies and the ability of the police to effectively deal with such cases.
The release of the alleged slumlord, an undocumented foreign national, who is accused of hijacking buildings in and around Germiston, has been met with strong criticism from ActionSA. The party has raised concerns over the safety of the whistle-blower, Patricia Khoza, and the potential flight risk of the individual. ActionSA has written to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Minister of Home Affairs to raise its concerns and request that the matter be urgently addressed. The case highlights the need for a more effective system to protect citizens and the need to address the issue of illegal immigration in the country.
