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Woman accuses police of searching her house illegally

25 JANUARY 2010 MONDAY: Elizabeth Mayimela, 56, from Westernburg near Polokwane in Limpopo is accusing the police of conducting an unlawful search at her house. PHOTO: ELIJAR MUSHIANA
25 JANUARY 2010 MONDAY: Elizabeth Mayimela, 56, from Westernburg near Polokwane in Limpopo is accusing the police of conducting an unlawful search at her house. PHOTO: ELIJAR MUSHIANA

A POLOKWANE woman has accused the police of searching her house illegally.

This follows an incident at the weekend in which a group of police officers went to Elizabeth Mayimela's house in Westenburg and searched the whole house without identifying themselves.

The police reportedly failed to tell Mayimela what they were searching for.

It was only when she enquired later that she was told the police were looking for a suspect wanted in connection with a spate of crimes in the area.

Mayimela, 56, said the police arrived at her house at about 9am on Sunday and started searching the house. She said they turned everything upside down and left.

"The problem is that the person they were searching for does not live in my house but in the neighbourhood.

"I would expect the police to show me proof of identification for me to be sure they are indeed police officers," Mayimela said.

Police are required to produce a search warrant before conducting a search of any premises.

Mayimela said she was surprised to see so many officers searching her house "illegally".

Police spokesperson Superintendent Ronel Otto said yesterday: "We do not condone situations where our members do things without following procedure. We will deal with members who become a law unto themselves," she said.

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