Alleged drunk EMPD official and two others suspended
Ekurhuleni metro's acting spokesperson, Solly Mashabela, added that two other officials have also been “pre-suspended” in connection with the incident.
An Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officer who was allegedly drunk in uniform at a shopping centre in Rynfield yesterday (September 24) at around 1pm, as captured on a video that went viral on social media, was suspended today (September 25), according to the metro’s acting spokesperson Solly Mashabela.
The incident unfolded in the parking area, drawing public attention, with the officer accused of drunken and threatening behaviour by bystanders, some of whom called for a breathalyser test to be administered.
“The metro instituted a preliminary investigation into the incident which resulted in the suspension of the officer and two other EMPD officials,” Mashabela said.
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“The two other officials could face charges of defeating the ends of justice and dereliction of duty for aiding the metro traffic officer to leave the scene without being processed, meaning blood samples were not taken to determine whether the officer was intoxicated or not.”
Dear @City_Ekurhuleni & @mzwandileMasina – WATCH this video of a metro cop allegedly under the influence of alcohol. He nearly crashed into a biker in Benoni and threatened to shoot the man while he was recording him. @GP_CommSafety @MbalulaFikile @David_Makhura Video as red pic.twitter.com/GTsZd85WK6
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) September 24, 2019
“We pre-suspended the two officers, one of whom is a supervisor, pending the finalisation of disciplinary proceedings.”
“We are committed to ensure that the lives of our communities and their safety remains our priority.
“We will never allow anyone to drag the good name of the EMPD through the mud,” Mashabela said.
A part of the video zooms into the cab of the EMPD officer’s vehicle and someone can be heard stating “there is alcohol in his vehicle”.
When the officer, who is walking around the parking area with his gun and holster dangling from his belt, is confronted by a bystander and told they want him tested for alcohol, he says they must test him, and the bystander then says “he is not drunk, he is f*****”.
The officer can be seen being ushered to another EMPD vehicle by a female officer, who had earlier also removed his firearm, after someone in the video said she should remove it for everyone’s safety.
Michael Shackleton MPL, DA Gauteng spokesperson for community safety, said: “This is disgusting behaviour by a metro police officer and must not be tolerated.”
The acting mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Lesiba Mpya, said the metro will fully investigate the matter and whoever is involved will be disciplined following the prescripts of labour processes.
“We will not tolerate such behaviour by our metro officers who have a responsibility to protect our people,” Mpya said.
