The day I got arrested for $1,30 by a racist police officer in South Africa and being thrown into a cell. ( Part 1 of 3 )

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Yes, you read correctly, your eyes are not deceiving you. In last week I got arrested by the South African police for theft to the amount of $1,30. Allow me to walk you through it. I've broken this down into a 3-part post as it is long and I go into detail regarding my horrific experience.

It was about 1:30pm Friday afternoon, and I felt hungry, so I jumped into my car and drove to my local supermarket where I usually buy the hot food they make daily. Usually some chicken drumsticks with bread rolls or whatever they have that day. I got to the Mall and proceeded to enter the supermarket. As per usual I headed straight to the candy isle as I do love my candy bars.

Photo: Goodwood Mall Cape Town South Africa

I take two candy bars and proceed to go to the hot food section. Bleh, nothing good today. I guess I'll just have bread or a packet of potatoe chips today. I proceed to walk to the cigarette counter. I always pay there because the queue isn't very long usually. There are two clients in front of me. Bleh, let me go have a look in that store at the end of the Mall, then I'll come back and pay. It's one of those chinese clothing stores. I proceed to walk towards said store...

As I'm walking I feel someone grab my arm from behind.

African gentleman ( We'll refer to him as "Shadow" ): "Hey, where you fink you going?"

Me: "What?"

Shadow: "Haibo, you didn't pay for dem chocolates, come with me"

Me: "I was going to pay for them after I'm done in this store"

Shadow: "Haibo! Come with me you!"

[Hai-bo] Derived from the Zulu word meaning “definitely not!” This word is usually expressed on its own, at the start or end of a sentence when something seems unbelievable.

As this man takes me to the back of the supermarket it hits me. He thinks I tried to steal these two candy bars. There's no way to argue with this man now. He has caught his perp for the day. He will be glorified by his boss, today he enforced the law in his khaki pants and cheap pleather jacket. Oh, and the thief he caught, is white. Oh what a joyous day for him. BLACK POWER!

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As I'm taken to the back of the supermarket, the dispatch / delivery section, he proceeds to handcuff me to some pole while standing. I ask him can I rather sit down while handcuffed. Reluctantly he agrees. Now bear in mind this is just some plain clothes security guy the Mall hires. In no way is this diaper stain a police officer. He tells me to "stay" while he goes to call the cops. Stay? I'm handcuffed to a friggen chair you idiot, where am I going to go?

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Let me tell you, those handcuffs, friggen hurt! They're tight and they're 100% steel. They're heavy too. Sure of course they're not meant to be as comfortable as the one's you tie your girlfriend up with. You know, those pink fluffy one's. You don't know those? Nevermind, let's just say they hurt. First time ever I've been handcuffed.

Now at this point I was scared out of my mind. This has never happened to me before and he could see that. I'm sure if I knew the South African Law I could've refused to be handcuffed as I wasn't under arrest yet at that point. Regardless, I sat there. Shaking, scared, afraid. With only one hand free I decide to call my sister. With this the other rent-a-cop diaper stain that was given the task to "watch me" while Diaper Stain #2 went to call the cops tells me...

Diaper Stain #2: "You aren't allowed to use your phone"

Me: "I know my rights. I'll use my phone."

That much I did know. Well, kinda. When he didn't object through lack of double digit IQ, I assumed what I said was in accordance with my rights. I get hold of my sister and she tells me to remain calm and just do what they say. She was shocked obviously. You see, I'm a geek. I don't drink, I don't go clubbing, heck I don't even get parking or speeding tickets. I'm a good boy regarding the law. So when I told her what happened she was shocked, but kept a level head.

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I waited there for about 90 minutes odd before the cops arrived. And here's where the racism showed itself in the worse way possible. Two police officers walk toward me. The African police officer had this expression of disgust, even hatred all over his face before even greeting me. The other, was walking behind him, pretty much "normal" behaviour.

Cop: "Where is the evidence?" ( He was asking the rent-a-cop lawyer wannabe watching over me ).

While looking at the two candy bars he speaks out in what I can only imagine was his most police authoritive voice he knew...

Cop: "I hereby place you under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Everything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law. Do you understand these rights?"

Me: "Yes officer"

He made sure to say it loud enough that everyone in the vicinity heard him. ( I bet he got off reading me my rights. Employee of the month ).

Rent-a-cop: "Yes officer, it's shoplifting"

Cop: "NO! It's not shoflifting, it's THEFT"

He obviously upgraded me to the highest charge he could think of. He did it with such arrogance, such a "screw you white man" attitude that all I could do was keep quiet. There was no way I was going to get onto this guy's good side. So I kept my mouth shut. However, I did ask a question...

Me: "Officer, what happens now?"

Oh my, BIG MISTAKE! Diaper stain was probably waiting for me to ask that.

Cop: "You are now coming with us! Come, move! Follow this man." ( Referring to his wingman or partner ).

Shaking with fear of the unknown I follow his partner. It was about 4pm odd now on a Friday afternoon. Courts are closed until Monday, weekend has started, and here I am heading to who knows where, under friggen arrest! I've never wanted a Delorean as much as in that instant. I just wanted this over with. I couldn't believe this was happening to me.

I then got put into the back of one of these...

Photo: South African Police Service vehicle

Thank goodness I was the only occupant in the back. I can only be grateful there weren't other occupants in there, because they put anyone in there that's under arrest. Rapists, murderers, thieves etc. I can be very lucky. They drive to the police station with me in the back. While driving, I message my girlfriend and inform here of what has happened. The wonderful woman she is, she tells me she'll meet me at the police station.

Few minutes later, we arrive at the police station. ( The Mall and the police station are pretty close to each other ).

Photo: Goodwood S.A.P.S.

I get out the van and proceed to follow the two police officers into the police station. They open a metal gate and take me into a small room with some worn out chairs and a single computer. As we enter they say, "Stand there" while pointing to a spot in the corner. I go stand there, shaking, literally. My voice is a former shell of what it was whenever I speak.

Now this is where the racism became evident towards me. If I thought earlier was bad, nothing could've prepared me for what ws about to happen between me and this African police officer who arrested me ...

To be continued