Verbal Abuse and Harrassment of 2 female travellerS by SAPS at De Hoek Toll Plaza

Dear Sir/Madam

It is with a heavy heart that I send you this message as I am still shaken. My cousin and I - 2 females - are traveling back from Johannesburg to Durban and were pulled over by 3 Flying Squad members for a reason that was not made clear. These officer did not identify themselves, they then proceeded to tell my cousin that her license disc was **** and ordered her out of the car. They took her away whilst one officer remained at the car. I called my father and the officer immediately started to scream at me saying that he would arrest me for interference I asked him how me calling my father from within the vehicle whilst my cousin is with the other officer, is an act of interference. He then became more violent and aggressive, as he yelled at me forcing me to hang up. At this point I felt acutely afraid for my life as this officer had his hand on his gun. The officer that had taken my cousin returned and proceeded to yell at me. I told him that as a female I felt threatened and that I have still not been told what actual crime I have committed. This officer then slammed the car door in my face and went over to yell at my cousin saying that he is a professional. I find this behavior deplorable at best and utterly disgusting in truth. I too am a civil servant - a consultant surgeon at a public hospital in KZN and I do not see how this behavior is in any way keeping with Batho Pele principles. This entire incident was horrifying - how am I as a taxpayer and a woman expected to trust and obey the police is this the manner by which they conduct themselves?

Furthermore not only was this incident motivated by misogyny there was an undertone of ****** as the officer asked my cousin in a condescending tone if she was "Miss Naidoo/Pillay/Singh/or any of your other names"

I have laid a complaint with the N3 Toll Concession Helpline and I will post this complaint on social media because I do not ever want any woman to feel that she is under threat - by the police no less - when exercising her democratic right to travel freely on the roads.