Key Takeaways
- A mother and her police officer son are involved in a bitter dispute, with both parties seeking protection orders against each other.
- The son has been accused of verbally abusing his mother and threatening her life, while the mother alleges that the son’s colleagues are protecting him and refusing to help her.
- A final protection order with a suspended warrant of arrest was granted against the son in October, but he has denied the allegations and is seeking a counter protection order.
- The case has been postponed to February 2, with the son alleging that his mother has emotionally and verbally abused him, and has even threatened to hire people to kill him.
Introduction to the Dispute
A mother and her police officer son have turned to the courts for protection orders against each other, highlighting the depth of their bitter dispute. The two, who are not being named, were back in court on Monday, with the mother alleging that her son has verbally abused her and threatened her life. The son, on the other hand, has denied the allegations and is seeking a counter protection order, claiming that his mother has emotionally and verbally abused him.
The Protection Order
In October, a magistrate issued a final protection order with a suspended warrant of arrest against the police officer, after the mother alleged that he had breached a previous interim protection order. The magistrate, Fundile Matoto, confirmed that he had granted the order after officers at three police stations allegedly failed to assist the woman. The woman claimed that she had tried several times in the past to get assistance from the New Brighton, Kwazakhele, and Algoa Park police stations, but was met with resistance. She alleged that officers at those stations were either protecting her son or were influenced by him not to help her.
The Son’s Denial
The son has denied the allegations, stating that he had tried to resolve their dispute and even suggested that they consult the Family and Marriage Society of SA (FAMSA) – a nonprofit organization dedicated to building strong families and relationships through professional counseling, education, and support. He claimed that he had been almost arrested after his mother approached the Nelson Mandela Bay district commissioner, alleging that he had breached the protection order granted against him. However, the case was thrown out of court after two witnesses, who are social workers, denied that he swore at and threatened his mother.
The Ongoing Dispute
The dispute between the mother and son has been ongoing for several months, with both parties seeking protection orders against each other. The final protection order and warrant of arrest, which was held over, was granted by Matoto on October 14. The suspended warrant, which was addressed to all police stations, followed an interim protection order granted by Matoto on April 3. The woman had applied for the order on March 10, alleging that her son had emotionally, verbally, or psychologically abused her or damaged her property in Missionvale.
The Son’s Counter Protection Order
The son has served his mother with his own notice for a counter protection order, alleging that she has continually abused him, shouted at him, sworn at him, and spread false information about him. He claimed that his mother had a history of abusing him emotionally and verbally, and that she had even threatened to hire people to kill him. He also alleged that his mother had gone to his workplace to speak ill of him to his superiors, and had demanded that he be arrested. The son has asked the court to stop his mother from telling people that he was HIV-positive, simply because he had had TB in the past.
The Mother’s Response
The mother has denied the allegations, stating that her life was in danger. She told The Herald that she had worked as a domestic worker in East London for many years after she left her village in Qonce due to "family-related issues". She claimed that she had fled for her life, and that her son’s allegations were false. The case has been postponed to February 2, with the son’s counter protection order still pending. The ongoing dispute between the mother and son highlights the complexities of family relationships and the need for effective communication and conflict resolution strategies.
Conclusion
The dispute between the mother and her police officer son is a complex and sensitive issue, with both parties seeking protection orders against each other. The case highlights the importance of effective communication and conflict resolution strategies in family relationships, as well as the need for support and resources for families in crisis. The outcome of the case is still pending, with the son’s counter protection order still to be heard in court. Ultimately, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting and protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their relationships or circumstances.
