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By Faizel Patel

Senior Digital Journalist


Gauteng Traffic officer facing criminal charges after argument with EMPD [VIDEO]

The Gauteng Traffic official has two previous cases of assault which are under investigation.


A Gauteng Traffic Police officer is facing criminal charges after being captured on video during a heated argument with Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers.

It is understood the EMPD officers had stopped a vehicle with a foreign number plate for inspection. The female motorist then reached out to a Gauteng Traffic officer to assist.

Upon arrival, the Gauteng Traffic officer allegedly insulted the EMPD officers and interfered with the inspection.

Watch: Gauteng Traffic Police officer’s altercation with EMPD officers

Warning: The video below contains explicit language and violence. Discretion is advised

‘Intimidation’

In the video, which has been widely circulated on social media platforms, the male traffic officer is seen swearing and making obscene gestures at a female EMPD officer, allegedly calling her “illiterate” and a “clown”.

The officer allegedly also told the EMPD officers that he would take the pension fund of the EMPD officials.

Incident condemned

Member of the Ekhurhuleni Mayoral Committee of Community Safety (MMC) Sizakele Masuku condemned the intimidation of the EMPD officers by the Gauteng Traffic Police officer.

“As Ekurhuleni Metro Department, we are saying officers are not going to go away from the streets, not going to stop doing their work without any intimidations. We must enforce the law. No law enforcer is above the law.

“This is unacceptable behaviour and the law must take its course. What is sad is that these are colleagues who should be working together to protect our people. No one is above the law in this country and such barbaric behaviour, especially by an officer of the law, is regrettable,” Masuku said.

Charges

A case of intimidation, common assault, crimen injuria, defeating the ends of justice and interfering with police duties has been opened.

ALSO READ: More than 20 trainee traffic wardens injured after vehicle ploughs into them

Masuku claimed it was not the first time the Gauteng Traffic officer had been involved in such matters after he was accused of allegedly beating people on the street. She said he had two previous cases of assault.

“He is not the best cop ever because a law enforcement officer would never conduct himself in such an unlawful manner.”

She called for a speedy investigation into this latest matter, so that “appropriate action” can be taken against the alleged perpetrator.

Masuku also called on officers to uphold and respect all the rules of law.

ALSO READ: Amapanyaza to be retrained as Gauteng Traffic Officers

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