In the Arms of the Law Part 2

                                       

On the previous edition, it should be noted that I had an encounter with a police officer; who along with his colleagues displayed acts of brutality. I had walked into a restaurant / pub with a colleague of mine and we sat to enjoy an evening meal. A few hours later, police rushed in, demanding that the place be closed down, since it was now operating out of its designated time frame. My colleague decided to grab a carry/ doggie bag for the road; seeing as he is not the cooking type. The police officer came up to me and demanded that I evict the premises. I only just answered him to say; not a problem officer, but may I leave the premises of the establishment soon as my colleague has finished purchasing his meal. 

That was supposedly an act of defiance in his eyes, as he frantically grabbed me by my bag and shoved me to the exit door. I lost my step, almost tripped and fell. That was not enough for him as he went on to call his colleagues; ‘’this boy is defying my orders, who are you to defy me? I might as well just arrest him right now.  Oh wait, it’s not a boy, it’s a whore’’. In vernacular he said;’’ yasichaphata kants, ngtokubopha mine nyalo, ungbani vele wena ngwadla”. At that moment, I just knew this was no-longer just about me waiting for my colleague, but more on posing as a threat to him. Supposedly my sexuality and gender identity now posed as a threat to him.

Following this incident, I took the issue up with local authorities. This was as per the advice of a local journalist who felt it was necessary that the Police force be notified about this. I went to the Police Station to enquire more on the issue at hand. As I approached the front desk, I was met with four officers who stood in anticipation of the next crime victim to report a case.

 I was attended by one male officer who upon seeing me, wished to know as to how to address me. As soon as I got to tell him that I wished to be referred to as a male, I actually saw a frown in his face. Upon relaying my story, he felt it was above and beyond him and as such, he referred me to his superior. As I walked in to his (the Superiors) office, there was a sense of un-ease as everyone was eager to hear what I had to say. I grabbed a chair, sat down and went on to relay my story. I went on about it; telling him of how I was shattered by a police enforcement's display of aggression towards me and how I almost got injured at the hands of an officer. 

He took notes and would from time to time ask me questions. At the end of the session, he went on to allude that what had happened was such a misfortune, and that as the Police Department they would take it up and make it a priority.  Furthermore, he added that I had the option of opening up a case against him. This he said would assist others as well who were faced with the same dilemma. Such incidents continue to happen and go unreported. He further emphasised that such behaviour was illicit, and that major action had to be undertaken.

Moving on, he ensured me that the Police Department would launch an internal investigation pertaining to the ‘said’ officer. The officer, he mentioned, would be brought to book and taken to task. This was somehow satisfactory as it showed knowledge of human rights by the Superior. Maybe there is justice after all; but only time will tell. Human rights continue to be a priority in my books and as such their violation will always be a huge concern. Human rights should always be at the centre of any society’s development. If as a society we are to create an ideal world where everyone is treated with dignity, human rights should be uphold-ed. I continue to envision a world where all humans are treated with honour and respect; a certain utopia as some would say. It is possible; we just all need to play our part. Let Love win and let us respect human rights.