Police accused of false arrest

ONE of the three men arrested for armed robbery and murder at Vulindlela is threatening to take legal action against the police.

Phiwayinkosi Mnyandu (45) from Esikhaleni Township was acquitted after spending 17 days in police custody.

‘I was arrested wrongfully, there was nothing linking me to that incident.

‘The day of the incident was my pay day and after getting paid, we went to Mkhobose to have braai with my colleagues, finishing at about 630pm.

‘From there I want straight home to my pregnant girlfriend, and when I got home she asked me to go with her to Esikhaleni Shopping Mall to buy her food,’ he said.

Mnyandu explained that according to the police the robbery incident took place at about 7pm.

‘This proves that I was not there, I am a sole breadwinner of eleven family members, I work hard to make a living and to support my family,’ he said.

Mnyandu claimed his image and reputation have been badly damaged as almost everybody perceives him as heartless criminal.

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‘Some of them asked me why did I kill innocent and defenceless people. I am not safe, I fear that I might be killed,’ he said.

‘I have lost my job, my integrity is now in question, my safety and that of my family is in jeopardy.

Police must pay for tarnishing my image,’ said Mnyandu.

Mnyandu was arrested on Tuesday, 21 November at Esikhaleni and was released after an identification parade held in Richards Bay.

‘It is where my innocence was proven that I am not a criminal,’he said

Mnyandu was detained at Esikhaleni SAPS and appeared twice at Mtunzini Magistrate Court where he was denied bail.

‘I was released on my third court appearance,’ he said.

Mnyandu said it hurts that while he was in police custody some criminals took advantage of his situation.

‘A criminal pretending to be a police detective phoned my sister and demanded R5 000 for my release.

‘The allege detective ordered my sister to deposit the money at Shoprite money market, but she only deposited R2 500.’I was wrongfully arrested and robbed, ’he said.

Police spokesman Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose confirmed Mnyandu passing the identification parade.

‘It appears there was no evidence against him, as the witnesses failed to identify him during the ID parade,’ said Mdlalose.

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