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locked up in cell with male thugs

UNSAFE: Linkie Digashu tried to explain the danger of keeping her in the same cell with male inmates. © Unknown.
UNSAFE: Linkie Digashu tried to explain the danger of keeping her in the same cell with male inmates. © Unknown.

Frank Maponya

A Limpopo woman is angry at the police after she was made to share a police station cell with criminals last month.

Linkie Digashu was arrested on suspicion of theft after her employer opened a case against her on August 28.

Her employer allegedly accused her of stealing some items in the shop in Marble Hall.

The 39-year-old mother of two said she was at home on the day when she saw her employer arriving with two police officers.

They accused her of stealing and wanted to search her house. They searched all over but did not find what they were looking for. Afterwards they took her to the local police station where they locked her up.

"I could not understand why I was arrested after they failed to find anything in my house," said Digashu yesterday.

She said while in the holding cells the police brought in men who had been arrested and locked them up in the same cell with her.

"Those officers did not care about my safety. How on earth can they expect me to share a cell with criminals? What if those men had raped me?" she asked angrily.

She said she tried to explain to the cops the danger of keeping her in the same cell with the men but they would not listen.

She was released the next day without being charged.

"I'm still in the dark about the things I was accused of stealing," she said. "But God knows that I haven't stolen anything,"

Police spokesman Superintendent Ronel Otto yesterday confirmed it was illegal and dangerous to keep women and men in the same cells.

"We are not aware of the matter and will investigate it thoroughly and take appropriate steps against anyone responsible," Otto said.

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