Bet you didn’t know they could arrest you
'Motorists should respect these officers because they enforce the law'
There is a saying that goes ‘Do not judge a book by its cover’, but in Randfontein the saying should say ‘Do not judge an officer by the colour of his or her uniform’.
“Don’t just respect the traffic officers in brown, the officers in blue can also arrest you,” is what Neo Oepeng from the Randfontein Traffic Police told the Herald about the department’s by-law officers.
Neo said there is a common misconception in Randfontein that only the traffic officers in brown are real traffic police officers, and she is determined to set the record straight.
Other than the different colour uniform, the key difference between a traffic police officer and a by-law officer is that the latter police adherence to the town’s by-laws. For instance, the by-law officers work with street vendors to ensure fair trade at designated vending areas.
They are also the town’s super-heroes, as they hold children’s hands and walk them and other residents across streets where there is a lot of traffic.
Lastly, they also direct traffic when traffic lights are out or when traffic volumes become too heavy at certain intersections.
Neo also said they shouldn’t be respected less just because they work with by-laws and walk children across the street. These officers might not look it, but they are able to arrest residents who violate the town’s by-laws.
“Motorists should respect these officers, because they enforce the law. Do not undermine them,” Neo said.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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