Metro cops manhandle bus driver and passengers
Passengers film incident on cellphones.
Yesterday morning Raoul Eksteen, a Davidsonville resident was on the Metrobus that became the ugly scene of what passengers called a prime example of police brutality.
Eksteen boarded the bus in Davidsonville at approximately 6.30am. At 7pm close to the Coronation Hospital the bus was pulled over by a JMPD vehicle after which a female officer told the driver that he was not allowed to use the Rea Vaya lane. This while other vehicles also were using the lane.
The bus driver said that he would leave the lane but that the other cars were making it difficult for him. He managed to get out of the Rea Vaya lane soon afterwards but the next moment the same JMPD vehicle turned in front of him and stopped the bus again. This time an argument ensued between the driver and the Metro cops. The police allegedly wanted him to pay a fine on the spot. The man wanted to know what for, while at least another seven Metro cops boarded the bus. A scuffle erupted as the Metro Police officers tried to arrest the bus driver. According to Eksteen, who caught the incident on his cellphone, the officers assaulted the driver for a good ten minutes while the passengers protested and wanted to know why they were behaving like that.
One passenger told the female Metro cop that they were going to be late for work, to which she allegedly replied that she did not care. When the passenger asked her where she thought their tax money went, meaning that they paid the salaries of the Metro Police, the officer told her “up my a–“.
The driver was thrown into a van during which he bumped his head.
“It was very ugly,” says Eksteen.
Then the passengers were told to get off the bus and they walked to the next bus stop. After a few minutes the same female Metro Police officer arrived at the bus stop and allegedly arrested a passenger from Davidsonville and her daughter “for interfering”.
“It was terrible how they manhandled the woman and her daughter, who by the way did nothing,” says Eksteen.
They were released on bail six hours later and the driver was let off with a warning.
Wayne Minnaar, spokesperson for JMPD, vehemently defended the officers, saying “they were doing their job”. He said he could not comment on the detail of the incident and again warned the public not to interfere or argue with officers even if they feel that they are in the wrong.
Eksteen indicated that he would supply the record with the cell phone footage.
The new south africa they think they can get everthing because they are in power..this is so wrong
Typical JMPD. They’re “above” the law that needs to be reinforced. Some of them really needs to be manhandled themselves for all their wrong doings against innocent people. Arrogant assholes.