A good copper
From Evelyn Meyer Sir: Justin Marozzi's Diary (13 May) brought back happy memories of my visit to Cape Town three years ago. However, feel very strongly that the issue of his `speeding fine' should be addressed. My husband and I also got carried away and were travelling at around 100 mph when we were jumped on by a black policeman. As he waved us over we realised that we did not have a single paper between us — no passports or driving licences — as we had left them all in the hotel safe. I think you will agree that in most countries that would lead to a long spell in a police station. All we had were the hire-car papers.
After lengthy discussions on his mobile phone our policeman gave us a lecture on speeding in South Africa and sent us on our way. I must stress that this was without any 400 rand changing hands. I just want to make the point that there are crooked policemen the world over — they aren't exclusive to African countries — just as there are honest ones.
Evelyn Meyer
Founex, Switzerland.
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