Lawyer finally released after heavy-handed police action

Accusations that the police are misusing their powers to intimidate investigators with dirt on people in high places have been made following the arrest of lawyer Sarah Jane Trent, who was detained in a police raid on forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan’s Johannesburg home on Friday, notes Legalbrief. Last night Trent’s legal team managed to secure her release after approaching the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria). Trent, who was heavily guarded and driven around for an hour by police, has been accused of impersonating an Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) officer. Her arrest, notes a Daily Maverick report (see report below), came a week before Ipid is due to present evidence of alleged fraud in relation to acting Police Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane’s R8m home to Parliament’s Police Committee. According to a Beeld report, Ipid head Robert McBride was present at last night's court hearing. It says Trent was released on bail of R5 000 following an arrangement on the steps of the court building. She will appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.