Paramedics on Friday treated a white man who collapsed at a police roadblock after explaining he had changed his name to ”Dlamini” to benefit from black economic empowerment, Ekurhuleni metro police said on Saturday.
Spokesperson Kobeli Mokheseng said traffic officials stopped the man, identified as JD Dlamini, during a roadblock on the N17 and asked him to produce his driver’s licence. The officers questioned him upon seeing his Nguni surname.
”Police asked him if this was his real name and he started speaking in Greek. Our police indicated in sign language that they were going to arrest the man, [and] then he started speaking fluent English and Afrikaans,” said Mokheseng.
When asked about his actions, Dlamini told metro officers that he had changed his surname to benefit from black economic empowerment. ”He then dropped to the floor and pretended to have a heart attack.”
Paramedics were called and Dlamini was taken to hospital for medical examination, Mokheseng said.
After taking his fingerprints, police discovered that the man’s name was indeed JD Dlamini. ”He had changed his surname from Hawley to Dlamini and he is a South African citizen.”
Mokheseng said no charges will be brought against Dlamini (55), although his car was impounded. ”To claim back his car, the man will have to furnish relevant vehicle-clearance certification and pay the storage fee.”
Mokheseng said four other cars were impounded during the roadblock as drivers did not have correct documentation. He said police issued 30 fines amounting to R12 000 for various traffic offences. — Sapa