Officer accused of assaulting motorist not suspended

The EMPD has confirmed that the police officer accused of assaulting a motorist on May 31 has not been suspended yet, but an investigation into the matter has started.

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Although the information available on this issue remain sketchy, according to media reports, the motorist, a woman, was allegedly slapped and punched in the face by an EMPD officer.

The attack reportedly happened after the woman, who was a passenger in the car the police had pulled off, asked the officer in question to wear his mask properly while speaking to the driver, her sister.

EMPD spokesperson Kobeli Mokheseng told the Advertiser their department became aware of the alleged matter when they noticed the circulating video clip of the scene on June 3.

The EMPD’s internal affairs began the investigation process by studying the video, and as part of the investigation, the team needs to get a formal statement from the complainant.

But, so far, they haven’t received any complaints from the motorist involved to help them investigates the matter further, said Mokheseng.

Mokheseng reiterated that in the EMPD, officers are required to abide by a code of ethics and their members are not out there to attack the public but to uphold and enforce the law.

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It was also reported that the officer in question registered a case of assault and interference against the woman, who was reportedly taken to hospital for treatment after the incident. This story will be updated as details emerge.