JMPD is being accused of prioritising a private lift arrangement over a riot situation near Princess informal settlement this weekend.
Ward 71 councillor Gert Niemand accused the metro police of picking private affairs over redirecting traffic on Saturday afternoon (14 November) when chaos erupted on Albertina Sisulu Road (previously Main Reef).
In a letter to JMPD Region C director Mike Smit, Niemand detailed the event and subsequent lack of response from a close-by JMPD vehicle.
“I saw the road was blocked — people were busy burning tyres and protesters blocked the street — so I turned and drove back towards Witpoortjie, stopping at the corner of Albertina Sisulu Road and Keiser Street, and proceeded to park my vehicle in the middle of the road.”
Niemand said he proceeded to redirect traffic away from the potentially dangerous scene. Roodepoort Police and Metro Police were not in sight as it clearly just started, he said.
“A marked JMPD vehicle approached me and the female driver asked what was wrong,” he continued.
“I informed her who I was and told her a riot situation is unfolding down the road — she simply said ‘Oh, okay’.”
Niemand said the female officer drove the JMPD vehicle into Keiser Avenue and parked. He believed the three officers in the vehicle were stopping to help him; instead, they allegedly looked on as he continued redirecting traffic.
“After some time had passed, one of the female passengers (in uniform) got out and scratched around in the vehicle. Children left the close-by Princess Villas complex and proceeded to get into the vehicle.”
He further alleges the driver took off and he attempted to stop her. He told her she is not helping him in getting residents away from a potentially dangerous situation and allegedly simply received a ‘Voertsek!’ in response.
Niemand had photos of the vehicle which he attached to his complaint. He said the vehicle was clearly marked ‘JMPD Region C Ward 114B’.
Niemand called for a full investigation to be launched into the officers’ conduct. He called the incident “neglect of duty” and accused the cops of putting private affairs above their jobs as enforcers of the law.
The Record spoke to Smit, who said he personally handed the complaint to internal affairs this morning for investigation.
“We do not condone this sort of conduct, especially where public safety is concerned,” he said.
“Typically statements will now be taken from the officers involved and it will be established whether there is prima facie reason to believe there was misconduct.”
JMPD director for internal affairs Sam Sephagi wrote back to Niemand confirming a case has been opened.
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