Sipho Masombuka

Sipho Masombuka

A labour law practitioner and former court interpreter is demanding R30000 damages from the national minister of Safety and Security for wrongful arrest.

Lawyers acting on behalf of Lesiba Seema, 50, of Soshanguve, Pretoria, served a letter of demand on the acting national police commissioner Timothy Williams last week.

Seema said that on February 20 he was arrested, charged with possession of stolen property and detained for two days at Pretoria Central police station. According to Seema, the arrest stems from an agreement he had with a client.

"She [the client] owed me money for services rendered and handed over to me her Nissan 4X4 Hardbody bakkie to keep and use while she raised money to settle her debt.

"She made a sworn statement at Pretoria Central police station to this effect. I tried to explain and produce the document [affidavit] but the police officer who arrested me said that I should tell that to the magistrate, not him," said Seema.

Seema's attorney, Nare Molele, said the vehicle was never reported stolen, therefore the charge and detention were wrong.