Domestic worker alleges police stole R4,000, dumped her in CBD

Woman alleges officers accessed Mukuru money at Shoprite

IOL reports the woman told a bystander she was approached by officers while walking to work at about 8am, asked for her name and searched her bag. She said the officers demanded to see her passport, declared she was arrested and put her into the van.

She alleged the officers repeatedly asked for money, questioned her about who she lived with and then demanded to see her phone. The woman said she showed them her Mukuru app; she claims the officers took her to a Shoprite and accessed money from her account before leaving her in the CBD.

Teenage witness confronted officers; video seen by IOL

An 18-year-old matriculant filmed a confrontation with two police officers after the distraught woman ran to him for help. IOL says the video was seen by the publication.

In the footage described by IOL, the matriculant challenges the officers over the woman’s treatment, saying:

“You stole money from an innocent lady. She was crying. She has no money for the month. Are you monsters?”

IOL reports one officer asked the teen who he was talking to and the other accused him of trying to frame them, saying:

“Stop trying to frame us. You are going to get yourself in trouble.”

The matriculant told IOL he sent photographs of the officers to the woman, who reportedly identified them as the people she was accusing.

Woman’s background and finances, and police response

The woman told IOL she is undocumented and originally from Zimbabwe and has lived in South Africa since 2015. She said her monthly earnings range between R5,000 and R6,000, she has two children and outlined her expenses, including about R1,500 for school supplies, R1,000 sent home and R1,500 for transport.

Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi told IOL the woman should open a formal case so “the necessary investigative processes” can take place and said immigration status should not prevent her from reporting the alleged crime.

What happens next

IOL reports that, at this stage, the account of events is the woman’s allegation and that the matter should be reported to allow investigators to proceed.